What happens if you die without a will?

Who is the next of kin when someone dies without a will, and who will inherit your estate?

Did you know that Parents, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews of the intestate person may inherit under the rules of intestacy? This will depend on several circumstances: whether there is a surviving married or civil partner. Whether there are children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. If you are living with a spouse but not married and are your intended beneficiary, they can not receive your estate.

Probate can take several years, leaving your family with stress and disputes about who should be entitled to receive something.

Setting up your will instructs the government of your chosen estate distribution and makes probate more straightforward and quicker.