What happens to an estate if there is no will?

In Utah, if a person dies without a will, their estate is considered to have intestate succession. This means that their estate is subject to the state’s laws on how the estate is divided, instead of the wishes of the deceased. In general, the estate will first be used to pay any debts the deceased has, including any taxes or other costs associated with administering the estate. After any debts are taken care of, the remainder of the estate will be divided according to Utah’s law of intestate succession. Most commonly, the estate will be given to the deceased’s surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, it will go to the deceased’s children. If there are no children, the estate will be divided among the deceased’s other surviving relatives, in descending order of relation. If there is no living next of kin, the estate will become the property of the state. This means that if a person dies without a will in Utah, their estate may be divided in a way that is different from what they may have desired. It is important for individuals to plan out their estates and create a will, so loved ones can be assured that the deceased’s wishes are honored.

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What happens to an estate if there is no will?

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