How is an intestate estate divided among the surviving heirs?

In Washington, if someone dies without a will, their estate is handled by intestate succession laws. This means that the estate is divided among the surviving heirs according to a set of state-specific rules. When an individual dies without a will, their assets are distributed to the decedent’s closest relatives based on a specific order of priority. The general rule is that the decedent’s estate is divided first among the deceased’s spouse and children. If the decedent had no spouse or children, then the estate is divided among the decedent’s parents. If the decedent had no spouse, children, or parents, then the estate is distributed among the decedent’s siblings and their descendants. If the decedent had none of the above, then the estate is distributed to the decedent’s grandparents. If the decedent had no grandparents, then the estate is divided among the decedent’s aunts and uncles, or their descendants. If the decedent does not have any of the above relatives, then the estate is distributed among the surviving heirs entitled to share in the estate’s distribution according to Washington state law. This is determined by examining the family tree and checking if any of the decedent’s relatives have predeceased them. In conclusion, the division of an intestate estate in Washington is based on a specific order of priority that begins with the deceased’s spouse and children, and works its way down the family tree from there. If the decedent had no eligible family members, then the estate is divided among any surviving heirs entitled to it according to Washington state law.

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How is an intestate estate divided among the surviving heirs?

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