If you die without a will in Rhode Island, you are said to have passed intestacy. Your assets will be distributed among close relatives according to intestate succession laws. Only assets that would have passed through your will are affected by these laws. Interstate succession cannot include certain valuable assets such as 401(k)s and retirement accounts.

Read the following to understand the order of intestacy laws in Rhode Island:

• If the deceased leaves behind children but no spouse, the children inherit the full intestacy property.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse but no descendants, the spouse inherits $75,000 worth of intestate real estate, plus the right to use it the rest of it for the rest of the spouse’ life.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse and descendants, the spouse has the right to use your intestate real estate for life and inherits 1/2 of your intestate personal property outright. The descendants inherit the rest of the intestacy property.
• If the deceased leaves behind parents but no spouse or descendants, the parents inherit the entire intestacy property.
• If the deceased leaves behind siblings but no spouse, descendants, or parents, the siblings inherit the entire intestacy property.

To learn more about intestacy laws, visit www.nolo.com.

If you or someone you know is dealing with the death of a loved one and their estate, contact the lawyers at Meyerson and O’Neill law firm today at 877-373-8059.