If you were to die in the state of Washington without a will, you are said to have passed away intestacy. State intestate succession laws are in place to distribute your assets among your closest family members.

Read the following to understand intestacy laws in Washington:

• If the deceased leaves behind children but no spouse, parents, or siblings, the children will inherit everything.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse but no children, parents, or siblings, the spouse will inherit everything.
• If the deceased leaves behind parents but no children, spouse or siblings, the parents will inherit everything.
• If the deceased leaves behind siblings but no children, spouse, or parents, the siblings will inherit everything.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse and children, the spouse inherits all of the community property and 1/2 of the separate property. The children inherit the other 1/2 of the separate property.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse and parents, the spouse will inherit all of the community property and 3/4 of the separate property. The parents will inherit 1/4 of the separate property.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse and siblings, but no parents, the spouse inherits all of the community property and 3/4 of the separate property. The siblings will inherit 1/4 of the separate property.

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

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one without a will, contact the lawyers at Meyerson and O’Neill law firm today at 877-373-8059.