If my aunt passed without a Will and she was a widow with no kids but had stepchildren, who gets her estate?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

If my aunt passed without a Will and she was a widow with no kids but had stepchildren, who gets her estate?

She does a living sibling. Also, the stepchildren were not apart of her life after her husband passed.

Asked on November 20, 2014 under Estate Planning, Alabama

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 9 years ago | Contributor

I am so sorry for your loss.  If your Aunt died with out a will that is known as dying "intestate" and the intestacy laws in the state of Alabama would apply. Under those laws her sibling would inherit everything unless she adopted the step children. If they were adopted then they stand as natural children under the intestacy laws.  But it does not sound as if they did so her sibling gets all.  I would speak with a lawyer to be sure of everyone's status and if children of deceased siblings inherit under Alabama law.  Sometimes there is a "survival" statute.  Good luck.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption