Find Articles by Topic:

Nolo Logo

Since 1971, Nolo's goal has been simple: Make America's legal system accessible to everyone. Our website, books, software, online legal forms and lawyer directory help millions of individuals, businesses and nonprofits solve their legal problems each year.

Small text sizeMedium text sizeLarge text size Print this page
 

If I don't write a will, will my stepmother inherit some of my property?

Question:

My father married a woman 20 years ago who treats me like scum. I try to get along with her, but it's obvious that I'm wasting my time.

If something happens to me before I make a will, is there a possibility that my stepmother will be included when my property is divided?

Answer:

If you die without leaving a valid will, money and other property you own at your death will be divided and distributed to others according to your state's intestate succession laws. These laws divide all property among the relatives considered closest to you according to a set formula. Your stepmom won't inherit from you unless she legally adopted you or, in some states, tried to adopt you but couldn't. Or, in some cases, stepparents may be permitted to inherit if they can show that they had a long, close relationship with their stepchild -- highly unlikely in your case.

Despite the fact that your stepmom is unlikely to get any of your property under your state's intestate succession laws, here is my advice to you: Write a will at once. That way you can be sure of where your property goes.

Nolo posts updates to the latest versions of books and software when major legal or practical changes occur. To see if your product has had a recent update, search for that book or software and visit its product page.

All Retirement Planning products >

Find A Lawyer

Enter zip or city, state ("Boston, MA")

Attorney Profiles

Attorneys: Get Listed

Advertisement

Advertise Here

Nolo Partner

This service is operated by JustAnswer.
Nolo provides no guarantee of the information provided.