What happens if a parent does not leave a will?
What happens if a parent does not leave a will? Assistant at Law Assistant at Parklin Law Not having a will is an oversight that could have serious consequences. If a parent dies without a will, the surviving parent (whether one or both) may be required to pay estate taxes and take over managing the assets of the estate. Some states allow an unmarried partner to be named as executor/administrator of an estate, but others do not. If there are minor children involved, guardianship might need to be determined. Some personal belongings will likely be distributed according to the child's age and gender, but what happens with personal property that doesn't fall into such categories? Should one sibling get everything, or should siblings share equally in the inheritance? What happens if there are no living siblings? What about children from previous marriages--should they be included in the will? In short, it can be hard for survivors to figure out what to do when a parent does not l...