Intestate Succession FAQ
Common questions about who inherits without a will.
Plain inheritance tables — no accounts, no forms, no personal data collected.General questions about intestate inheritance. For state-specific rules, open the state page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is intestate succession?
It is the default set of rules a state uses to distribute a dead person's property when there is no valid will.
Does a surviving spouse always get everything?
No. If the deceased had children from another relationship, the spouse usually shares with those children. The split varies by state.
What does "per stirpes" mean?
It means a deceased person's share passes to their own descendants (e.g., a grandchild steps into a deceased parent's share). See the Glossary for the per-capita contrast.
Is this legal advice?
No. InheritByState is a reference only. Confirm the current law with the state probate code or a probate attorney.