What is inheritance law?
Inheritance law is a type of law that determines who is eligible to receive a deceased person’s estate. This law dictates how the will of the deceased is carried out and governs the process of distributing the estate. California follows laws of intestate succession, meaning if a person dies without a will, the law determines who will receive the estate. Generally, the estate is distributed in the following order: 1. Spouse 2. Children 3. Parents 4. Siblings 5. Grandparents 6. Aunts and uncles 7. Cousins The court may also appoint an executor or administrator to handle the distribution of the estate. The executor collects the assets of the deceased, pays off debts and liabilities, identifies and contacts heirs and beneficiaries, prepares an inventory of the estate, and then transfers and distributes the assets according to the rules of intestate succession. In some cases, the estate may be subject to taxes. Depending on the size of the estate, the state and federal government may impose taxes on the estate. It is important to speak with a qualified attorney to make sure the estate is handled properly and the applicable taxes are paid.
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