What Occurs When Someone Dies Without a Will?

In the event that you die without having created a will, the state of Nevada will determine what happens to your possessions and assets. To avoid this issue, it’s highly recommended that you create a will, which is very easy to do. To understand just how important it is to make a will, you should know more about what happens when someone dies without having done so.

What Is a Will?

Wills are a way for people to determine how their estates are handled once they die. When you’re thinking about creating a will, it’s important to understand that this document can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. While there are some legal limitations to wills that could require some of your estate to be placed through the probate process once you die, you’ll have much more control over what happens to these assets than if you decided not to create a will.

What Happens When You Die Without a Will?

Dying without a will is referred to as intestate, which essentially means that state laws determine what happens to your assets and property. If you live in Nevada but have a property in California, the California state laws would determine what happens to that specific property. The laws typically differ depending on if you were married or single. These laws could also change if you have children. When single, your parents would receive the entire estate. It could also be divided among siblings if your parents are no longer alive. If you were married, it’s likely that all of your assets would go to your spouse. If there are surviving children but no spouse, the estate would likely be divided evenly among the children.

Why You Should Contact an Estate Planning Lawyer

An estate planning lawyer will be able to help you create a well-written will that’s legally ironclad. They can also point out any mistakes that could create issues down the road. If you’re thinking about creating a will or a more complex estate plan, you’ll want to speak with an estate planning lawyer in Las Vegas to ensure that everything’s in order.