Inheritance Calculator: Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out how your state distributes assets when someone dies without a will. Our intestate succession calculator walks you through the key questions to show who likely inherits.
Currently available for California, Florida, and Texas. More states coming soon.
What This Calculator Covers
Family Structure
Accounts for spouse, descendant branches, parents, and siblings to determine the correct inheritance order.
State-Specific Rules
Applies the correct intestate succession rules for Florida, California, and Texas, including community-property rules where they matter.
Property-Type Breakdown
Shows when the answer changes based on community property, separate personal property, and separate real property.
Common Questions
Who inherits if there is no will?
When someone dies without a will, assets pass according to the state's intestate succession laws. Generally, the surviving spouse and descendants are first in line, followed by parents, siblings, and more distant relatives.
Does a spouse always inherit everything?
Not always. In many states, if descendants survive, the estate is split between the surviving spouse and descendants. Community-property states like California and Texas also distinguish community property from separate property.
What assets are affected?
Only probate assets are subject to intestate succession laws. Assets with named beneficiaries — like life insurance and retirement accounts — and jointly-owned property pass directly to the beneficiary, bypassing these rules.
Note: This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are not legal advice. Fees and requirements may vary. Full disclaimer