What happens to an estate if there is no will?

If a person dies in Maryland without having created a will, their estate is said to be “intestate.” When this occurs, their property and possessions (called their “estate”) must be distributed according to a system known as “intestacy.” Intestacy is basically a set of rules determined by state law that dictate how an estate will be handled if a will is not present. In Maryland, the laws of intestacy determine who will receive the property and possessions of a deceased person. Generally, the surviving spouse and children receive a portion of the estate, usually in the form of cash. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the estate then moves to other relatives such as siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. If no living relatives can be found, the estate will fall to the state. It is important to note that when a will is not present, the estate is divided equally among any surviving relatives according to the laws of intestacy; the wishes of the deceased are not taken into account. This can lead to unfavorable outcomes, as some family members may not receive the items they would have liked. Additionally, the entire process of distributing the estate will take longer and cost more than if there was a will present. In conclusion, if a person dies in Maryland without creating a will, their estate will be divided according to the laws of intestacy. This could result in an unequal distribution of assets, and a time-consuming and expensive process for the estate. Therefore, it is always better to create a will to ensure that your wishes are carried out.

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