What is intestate succession?

Intestate succession is what happens when someone dies without leaving a valid will. When this occurs, their assets are distributed to their heirs according to Pennsylvania law. Each state determines who the heirs are and how their assets will be divided. In Pennsylvania, those heirs are typically divided into two distinct categories; those related to the deceased by blood, and those related to the deceased through marriage. The estate is first distributed to the surviving spouse (or to any former spouses if there’s a valid prenuptial agreement) and any children from the relationship. If there isn’t any direct descendants, then the estate is distributed to the deceased’s parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, or cousins in that order. If none of those are present, it will then go to the deceased’s grandparents or any of their descendants, if none of those are present, it will go to the state of Pennsylvania. Though this is the general rule, Pennsylvania does have some quirks in its intestacy laws. For instance, if the deceased wasn’t married and didn’t have any children, the entire estate will go to the deceased’s parents, even if they have other siblings. It’s also important to note that, under some circumstances, the deceased’s will may not be considered valid by the court, in which case, the applicable intestacy laws would apply. Overall, intestate succession is a system of laws that determine how a person’s estate is distributed when they die without leaving a valid will. In Pennsylvania, this includes surviving spouses, children, and blood relatives. It’s important that everyone understands both their local state laws and the individual circumstances of their case to ensure that the deceased’s estate is handled properly.

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What is intestate succession?

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