Yes. The default in state law, called “intestacy,” is designed with married couples in mind. If a married couple dies without any estate plan, the survivor will get a good portion of the assets left behind. However, if you are unmarried, unless you are in a state that legally recognizes domestic partnerships or civil unions and you have registered as such, the survivor would get nothing. Instead, the family of origin of the unmarried 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.
