It varies according to state law. In Arizona when I die all my property will belong to my husband unless I designate specifically that I want my sons to inherit my property. This is all written in my will - I can leave my property to anyone. If my husband has died everything would go to my sons.
What Sansa says is true - I think most states have laws which say that a spouse will inherit everything.
It's possible to write a last will and testament. This is a legal document, witnessed by two people, which lets a person tell to whom they want to give specific things when they die. People can leave an inheritance to their children or grandchildren, to a charitable organization, to a friend, or to a university to establish a scholarship for students. There are even a few cases of people who left their money to a cat or dog!
Another way of determining inheritance is in bank documents. For example, when I opened my bank account, I designated that if I die, the money will be divided among my nieces and nephews.
It varies according to state law. In Arizona when I die all my property will belong to my husband unless I designate specifically that I want my sons to inherit my property. This is all written in my will - I can leave my property to anyone. If my husband has died everything would go to my sons.
ReplyDeleteWhat Sansa says is true - I think most states have laws which say that a spouse will inherit everything.
ReplyDeleteIt's possible to write a last will and testament. This is a legal document, witnessed by two people, which lets a person tell to whom they want to give specific things when they die. People can leave an inheritance to their children or grandchildren, to a charitable organization, to a friend, or to a university to establish a scholarship for students. There are even a few cases of people who left their money to a cat or dog!
Another way of determining inheritance is in bank documents. For example, when I opened my bank account, I designated that if I die, the money will be divided among my nieces and nephews.
Alison
Rwanda