Does the size of an intestate estate matter?

Yes, the size of an intestate estate does matter. In California, intestate succession is the process that distributes the estate of an individual who passes away without a valid will. The size of an intestate estate matters because it determines who the beneficiaries of the estate are and how much of the estate each beneficiary will receive. For example, if an individual passes away with a large estate that is subject to intestate succession, the state of California will first distribute the estate to the decedent’s spouse, then to their children, parents, or siblings depending on the size of the estate and who survives the decedent. The larger the estate, the more likely it is that there will be multiple beneficiaries. In these cases, the estate may be divided into portions that are managed by a financial advisor. The beneficiaries will receive their shares according to the law of intestate succession. In contrast, if the estate is smaller, the remaining estate may not be enough to be divided among multiple beneficiaries. Instead, the entire estate may be given to the surviving spouse. Therefore, the size of an intestate estate does affect who the beneficiaries are and how much they will receive.

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Does the size of an intestate estate matter?

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