How should I distribute my assets if I don't have a will?

If you don’t have a will in the state of Massachusetts, then your assets will be distributed according to the laws of intestate succession. These laws dictate who is entitled to inherit your property. Generally, if you have a spouse and descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.), your spouse will receive the majority of your estate. If you don’t have a spouse, then your descendants are the first to receive the estate. If you don’t have a spouse and no descendants, then your parents are the next in line to receive the inheritance. After your parents, your siblings, then your nieces and nephews, then your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and finally your cousins will be in line to inherit your estate. Unfortunately, if you do not have a will, the state of Massachusetts can’t make assumptions of who you’d like to inherit your assets, so it is important to have a will if you want to ensure your estate is distributed to the people you choose. A will also allows you to make decisions about who will care for minor children, name an executor to handle your estate, and specify which assets will go to certain people or organizations. It’s also important to be aware that if you don’t have a will, you may be subject to higher taxes than you intended. Without a will, the state will select the successor to your estate, and that person may not be able to take full advantage tax-wise of your estate. So it is important to make sure you have a will in order to ensure that your assets are distributed as you wish.

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How should I distribute my assets if I don't have a will?

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