What happens to property when someone dies with no relatives and no will?

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What happens to property when someone dies with no relatives and no will?

Gregorio

People who die without a Will are considered Intestate, and their property will be distributed in accordance with state intestacy laws. In most states, Intestate distribution is defined as follows:

1. If the decedent was married at the time of death, all property goes to the decedent's spouse.

2. If the decedent is not married at the time of death, all property goes to the decedent's children or other descendants (grandchildren or great-grandchildren).

3. If the decedent dies unmarried and without surviving children or other descendants, all property goes to the decedent's parents.

4. If the decedent is unmarried and childless, and has no surviving parents, all property goes to the decedent's siblings.

5. If the decedent dies unmarried, childless, and with no surviving parents or siblings, all property will go to the closest living relative. If more than one relative of the same degree of relationship is living, those relatives will share the estate equally.

Only if no surviving relatives can be found will property go to the state. Clients wanting property distributed in a manner other than that provided by intestacy laws should execute a Will.

Care and guardianship of minor children is another consideration in intestacy situations. When someone with minor children dies, the other parent of the children will likely have full custody of the children. If the other parent is also dead, and there is no Will appointing a guardian, the probate court will appoint a guardian for minor children in accordance with the laws of the state of legal residence where the children live.

Ron Mexico

The estate goes through probate and usually ends up as assets of the state.

fantasia.

They put adverts in the national paper for 6 weeks and if no one comes forward it is taken over by the Treasury Solicitors
(the government solicitors)They certainly investigate thoroughly before doing so.

emiss

It does not go to government but in fact goes to the Queen, and this is a disgusting and immoral system.
you can give me all the thumbs down you wish but just ask a will writer, they even have a pamphlet on how much she has accumulated over the past ten years

Goes into probate.

pheromonefudge

Gordon Brown smiles and adjusts his underwear

voyager1

In California, the property will go to the State of California's Controllers Office-Unclaimed Property Department. This will give anyone who can proved they are entitled to the property a chance to claim it. If no-one claims the property, it will belong to the State who can dispose of the property via Online Auction(for example). Go to for more information.

just trying to make a difference

i can't believe that you have so many answers but only a few actually tell you what happens!
the rules of intestacy will be applied to the estate of the deceased person, much as Gregg has described.
there is a brilliant flow chart here to demonstrate exactly what happens, i think you'll find this very useful http://www.property4viewing.co.uk/iwcwills/intestacy.htm
if there are no relatives as on the chart then the estate is known as 'bona vacantia' (meaning goods without an owner) and the whole estate goes to the crown - this means that all property will be sold and the proceeds paid to the Exchequer.
i hope this helps you
Rebecca x

DanE

Here is the answer for Texas, it may differ in other states.

2. If you are not married (this includes being widowed or divorced):

Your children will inherit all of your property equally. If any child has died before you, his share will go to his children. If he has no children, it will go to your surviving children. If a child of a deceased child is also deceased but has left a child of his own (your great-grandchild), that great-grandchild will get its parent's share of your estate, and so on.

If you have no children, your father will inherit half of your property, and your mother will inherit the other half. If either parent is deceased, your siblings will inherit that parent's share. If a sibling is deceased but has left a child (your niece or nephew), that child will inherit its parent's share, and so on. If a sibling is deceased and has left no children, the surviving siblings will take that sibling's share. If neither of your parents nor any of their descendants survive you, your grandparents will inherit your estate equally. If either grandparent has died before you, their descendants (your aunts, uncles, and cousins) will inherit your estate.

goblue_1967

I think the state usually gets any assets of the deceased in such a case.

shamieya

If there are no known relatives or claimants for the property for a certain amount of time, the state will take the property (its called escheat, or something like that). this may differ from state to state.

xx_muggles_xx

It goes to the state or next of kin if they can find them.

BOUDICA !!!! (*) (*) (*)

govermentflog it off at auction and pocket the cash

Mr. Me

With no heirs, any equity in the estate would be liquidated, with the proceeds going to the state.

This means any and all creditors must be satisfied 1st.

Dellboy from UK

This is referred to as dying intestate. All the estate goes to the government

wizjp

Nothing untill someone makes a claim against the deceased or until someone wants to make a claim for his property. Then state intestancy law kicks in and it varies from state to state. IN a lot of states, an executor is appointed and an attempt to find any and all heirs is made. Assets are sold and debits paid by executor; if no heris, state claims remainder if any after a time.

Just Another Brother

government