What Happens If I Die Without A Will?

When a person dies, of course there are many factors that the family is left to handle. These factors become even more complex and confusing when the person who has passed away does not have a will. Who will handle the finances? Who gets the house? There are further complications depending on the person’s marital and family status. If the person who has no spouse, no children, no possible beneficiaries, the process is a little bit simpler; everything goes to the state. However, let’s just say the person has a spouse, three children, and is survived by one of their parents.

Depending on the amount of assets that a person may have, the family can choose to divide them amongst themselves. They first automatically always go to the spouse, and if that person does not have a spouse, they will go to the children. The inheritance goes down the line of distance that the relative is to the person who has passed away. The court may appoint someone, usually the most immediate relative, to be an administrator to your will who will take charge of dividing all of the assets up amongst the family.

If you do not have a will, it is in your best interest to put one together so that way in the event of your untimely demise, your loved ones will have one less thing to worry about. Please contact an experienced estate attorney to begin the process of assembling a will and appointing someone to handle your estate.

The law office of Weinstein, Chase, Messinger & Peters serves Brooklyn and the greater New York area with effective legal services regarding personal injury, medical malpractice, real estate and estate planning. If you need our help, contact Weinstein Chase, Messinger & Peters for you free initial consultation.