If you die without a will, your assets will be distributed according to the laws of your state, known as intestacy laws.

Estate planning is part of comprehensive financial planning. It includes making a will. If you don’t make a will before your death, you will die intestate. In that case, your assets will be ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Marguerita is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor ...

Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and began her career as a college instructor and textbook author. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making financial and ...

Intestacy laws step in immediately when someone dies without clear instructions. These laws, which vary by state, decide who gets what from bank accounts, property, and personal items. It can lead to ...

Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve put off making a will for years. What actually happens to my money and property if I die without one?