If you die in the state of Arkansas without a will, you are said to have passed away intestate. Your assets are divided among your closest relatives according to intestate succession laws. In Arkansas, regardless of whether or not you have a will when you die, your spouse will inherit property from you under a doctrine called “dower and courtesy.” This determines how much a spouse inherits based on how long they were married and whether or not they have descendants.

Read the following to understand intestacy laws in Arkansas:

• If the deceased left behind children or other descendants, they will inherit all of the intestate property. A spouse has the right to use 1/3 of the property for life, but the children inherit the property.
• If the deceased left behind a spouse of at least three years and no children, the spouse will inherit all of the intestate property.
• If the deceased left behind a spouse of less than three years and no children, the spouse will inherit 1/2 of intestate property, and parents, siblings, or other relatives can inherit the remaining 1/2 of intestate property.
• If the deceased left behind parents but no children or spouse, the parents will inherit everything.
• If the deceased left behind siblings but no children, spouse, or parents, the siblings will inherit everything.

To learn more about intestacy laws, visit www.nolo.com.

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one without a will, contact the lawyers at Meyerson and O’Neill law firm today at 877-373-8059.