District of Columbia Wrongful Death Laws

You’ve lost a loved one suddenly and without a will, the damages left behind are distributed by the state according to intestacy law. Intestacy law is defined by each individual state as the distribution of the estate amongst the remaining family.

Damages are distributed according to intestate law in DC:

• If the spouse is living and no children or parent, the spouse receives all of the estate.
• If the spouse and children are living, the spouse receives 2/3 or 1/2 of the estate. If the children are also the spouse’s, the spouse takes 2/3 of the estate. If the children are not the spouse’s, the spouse takes 1/2 of the estate and the remainder goes to the children.
• If the spouse and parent are living but no children, then 3/4 of the estate goes to the spouse and parents split the remainder equally.
• If no children or spouse are living, parents divide shares equally among each other.
• If there are no parents, children, or spouse living, the brothers and sisters divide the remainder of the estate equally among each other.

When children of different generations are involved:

• Damages are divided into as many shares as there are children of the victim, and a share is designated to the offspring of any deceased children divided equally.

For more information on the District of Columbia wrongful death laws, visit justice.gov.

If you or a loved one needs assistance regarding intestacy law, contact the attorneys at Meyerson and O’Neill law firm for a free case evaluation today at 877-373-8059.

Maryland Wrongful Death Statute

Intestacy law can be defined by each state as the laws that govern the disposition of an estate of an individual who dies without a will or final testament. Intestacy law can vary greatly from state to state.

It is important to understand the laws regarding intestate law in order to deal with the legal issues your loved one has left behind. Read the estate distribution of intestacy law in Maryland:

• A spouse and minor children are left behind (not including stepchildren), the spouse receives half of the estate, minor children receive the remaining half of the estate.
• If a spouse and adult children are still living (not including stepchildren), the spouse receives $15,000 plus half of the remaining estate. Adult children divide the remaining estate equally.
• If only children are left behind (not including stepchildren), the estate is divided equally among the children of the same generation.
• If spouse and parents are living, the spouse receives $15,000 and half of the estate. Both parents divide the balance of if only one parent is living the rest of the estate is given to that parent.
• If a spouse is living with none of the above heirs, all of the estate goes to the spouse.
• Parents are living and no others heirs, the parents divide estate equally or remainder goes to the living parent.
• If brothers and sisters are living and none of the heirs above, the estate is divided equally among brothers and sisters. If there was a deceased sibling, their share is divided amongst their children, the nieces and nephews of the victim.

If children of different generations are involved:

• The estate is divided into as many equal shares as there are children of the victim. For those children who may be deceased, their children receive their share.

For more information on Maryland intestacy law, visit justice.gov.

If you or someone you love is dealing with the legal issues of a family member who has passed away, contact the expert attorneys at Meyerson and O’Neill Law Firm today at 877-373-8059.