Walk It Through: The House With No Will
A father who died without a will, a spouse's life estate, a small bank account, and creditors' six months.
A father in Bristol dies with no will, leaving a wife, two grown children, a house in his name and a checking account.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
A death without a will and a modest estate. Jointly held property, life insurance, taxes and a contested estate are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- IntestateDying without a will. A spouse with no children of the decedent takes $50,000 and half of the rest of the personal property.
- Life estateThe right to land for one's natural life. A surviving spouse takes the decedent's real estate this way when there is no will.
- Voluntary administratorA relative or interested person who handles an estate of personal property up to $15,000 by a sworn statement, after thirty days.