What is intestate succession law?

Intestate succession law is a set of rules that determine who inherits an estate when someone dies without a will. This typically happens when someone has died without making a valid will, or if the will is deemed invalid under the state laws. In Virginia, the intestate succession law is governed by the Virginia Code - Section 64.2-200. This law provides for the distribution of the deceased person’s estate to the closest relatives if there is no valid will. The law states that the estate passes to a surviving spouse, then the children, and if there are none, then to the deceased’s parents. If the deceased had no living parents, siblings, or children, then the remaining estate passes to the next closest relative, such as a grandparent, uncle, aunt, or cousin. In addition, if none of these closest living relatives exist, the estate passes to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Intestate succession law ensures that the property of a deceased person is passed on to their closest living relatives.

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What is intestate succession law?

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