What happens if I die without a trust?

If you die without a trust in Virginia, your assets will be distributed in accordance to the state-regulated rules of intestacy. This means that a court-appointed administrator will distribute your assets according to a previously established process. In general, if you die without a will or trust in Virginia, your assets will go to your spouse if he or she is living, followed by your children, your parents, and then your siblings. If you have no living family members, then your assets will be transferred to the state. If you do not have a trust at the time of your death, it may be extremely difficult for your loved ones to navigate the process of transferring your assets according to state law. This is due to the complicated legal procedures that are required to be undertaken during the process. Not having a trust in place can also mean that your heirs may be required to pay additional taxes on the inheritance that they receive, as opposed to what would have been paid if a trust had been established to manage the assets prior to your death. In short, if you die without a trust in Virginia, your assets will be divided according to state-regulated rules of intestacy, making the process difficult and expensive for your family. It is therefore important to create a trust in order to ensure that your estate is managed efficiently and in accordance with your wishes.

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What happens if I die without a trust?

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