What happens to my estate if I die intestate?

If you die without a will (known as intestate) in the state of Washington, the laws of Washington will determine how your estate is distributed. The laws vary from state to state, but in Washington, the general rules for intestate succession are as follows: If you are married with no children, your spouse will inherit the entire estate. If you are married with children, your spouse will inherit the first $150,000 plus one-half of the remaining estate. The other half of the remaining estate will be divided among your children. If you are not married but have children, your entire estate will be divided among your children. If you do not have any surviving children, your estate will be divided among your surviving parents, if living, in equal shares; if you do not have living parents, the estate will be divided equally among your siblings or their descendants. If none of the above apply, the estate will be given to the next closest relatives in the order of succession. To ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes, it is important to have an up-to-date will in place. You should consult an experienced estate planning lawyer to ensure that your wishes are properly understood and carried out. It is also important to have an executor to oversee the process of distributing your estate after you have passed away.

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What happens to my estate if I die intestate?

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