What happens to my assets if I die without a will?

If you die without a will in the state of Washington, your assets will go through a process commonly referred to as “intestacy”. This means that the state will determine how your assets will be divided among your heirs using Washington’s laws of intestacy. The laws of intestacy are based on what assets you have, who your heirs are, and the relationships between you and your heirs. For example, if you have a spouse, children, and other descendants (such as grandchildren or great-grandchildren), the law states that your spouse is entitled to the first part of your estate. This typically means that your spouse will receive the family home, certain other personal items, and a portion of any cash or investments. Your spouse may also be eligible for an amount of money known as an elective share, which is based on the length of your marriage. Next, any remaining assets will be divided among your heirs. If you have children, they will usually split the remainder of your estate equally. If you do not have any children, your parents, siblings, and other relatives may be eligible to inherit. If you do not have any living relatives, the estate will go to the State of Washington. It is important to note that if you die without a will, your estate may be subject to additional fees and delays due to the complexity of determining which heirs should receive your assets. Additionally, if your estate is large enough, the state of Washington may impose additional taxes on your estate. For these reasons, it is always beneficial to have an estate plan in place to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

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What happens to my assets if I die without a will?

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