What Are Intestacy Rules?
Intestacy rules determine how a deceased person’s estate is distributed if they die without a valid will. In the UK, these rules follow a strict legal hierarchy, ensuring that assets go to the closest relatives in a specific order. Unmarried partners, stepchildren, and friends do not automatically inherit anything under intestacy laws.
Who Inherits Under Intestacy Rules?
1. If You Are Married or in a Civil Partnership
✔ If there are no children – The entire estate goes to the surviving spouse or civil partner.
✔ If there are children – The spouse gets:
- The first £322,000 of the estate.
- Half of the remaining estate.
- The other half goes to the children equally.
