Can an intestate estate be divided in any way?
Yes, an intestate estate can be divided in various ways. In the state of Washington, the law of intestate succession governs how the estate of a deceased person is divided if the person has not left a will. When an intestate estate is divided in Washington, the division is governed by the laws set forth in the Washington statutes. Intestate succession law divides the estate amongst two or more classes: spouses, children, parents, siblings, and other relatives. Generally, spouses are the first in line to receive a portion of the intestate estate. If the decedent is survived by a spouse, that spouse gets all of the estate or half of the estate if there are other surviving family members. If a spouse is not present, then the estate is divided among the children or other living relatives in a certain order of priority. The division of the intestate estate ultimately depends on the number of surviving family members and their respective relationship to the decedent. The division of the estate also depends on any applicable statutes for the particular state. The division of an intestate estate can also be altered by a court if it is necessary to provide for the surviving family members or if a dispute arises amongst certain family members. In such a situation, the court has the power to override the laws of intestate succession and make a decision as to how the estate should be divided among the family members. Overall, an intestate estate can be divided in various ways depending on the laws of intestate succession and the relationship of the surviving family members to the decedent. In the state of Washington, the division of intestate estates is governed by the statutes of the state.
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