Detailed Answer
When a person dies without a valid will in Virginia, the court distributes their assets under the state’s intestacy statutes (Va. Code § 64.2-200). Intestate succession depends on surviving heirs and their relationship to the decedent. Below is a step-by-step overview:
1. Identify the Surviving Spouse
If the decedent leaves a surviving spouse and no descendants, the spouse inherits the entire estate.
If the decedent leaves both a spouse and descendants (children or grandchildren), inheritance splits as follows:
- If all descendants are common to the spouse and decedent, the spouse receives the first $50,000 plus one-half of the remaining personal property and one-half of the real property; descendants divide the rest equally. (Va. Code § 64.2-200(A))
- If any descendant is not the spouse’s child (e.g., from a prior relationship), the spouse gets one-half of the estate and the non-common descendants share the other half. (Va. Code § 64.2-200(B))
2. No Surviving Spouse
If there is no spouse, all assets go to descendants equally. If no descendants, assets pass to other next-of-kin in this order:
- Parents of the decedent.
- Siblings (and their descendants) under per stirpes distribution.
- Grandparents and their descendants.
- Aunts and uncles (and their descendants).
See Va. Code § 64.2-201 for more details.
3. No Heirs
When no eligible heirs exist, the estate escheats to the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Va. Code § 64.2-202)
Illustrative Example
For example, Jane Doe dies intestate leaving a spouse and two children. Her personal property is valued at $150,000 and real property at $300,000. Under § 64.2-200(A), her spouse receives $50,000 plus half of the remaining personal property ($50,000) and half of the real property ($150,000). The two children share the rest equally.
Helpful Hints
- Obtain multiple copies of the decedent’s death certificate early.
- Search for a will in safe deposit boxes and digital files (email, cloud storage).
- File for Letters of Administration with the circuit court to gain authority to manage assets.
- Compile a full list of potential heirs: spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.
- Keep accurate records of estate assets and debts for accounting.
- Consult a Virginia estate attorney to guide you through filings and deadlines.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consider consulting a qualified attorney for your specific situation.