Yes. The default in state law, called “intestacy,” is designed with married couples in mind. If a married person dies without any estate plan, the survivor will get a good portion of the assets left behind. However, if you’ve not married, or you are in a state that does not recognize domestic partnership or civil union, your survivor would get nothing. Instead, the family of origin of the partner who died would get anything in that partner’s name, including bank accounts, real estate, etc.
About Seth Bier
Seth Bier is an estate planning attorney serving Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance, and families throughout the South Bay. His practice focuses on trust planning, probate avoidance, and long-term inheritance protection strategies.
