If you die in the state of Missouri without leaving behind a will, you are said to have died intestacy. The assets that were left in your name only are distributed among relatives according to intestate succession. Many valuable assets don’t go through your will and are not affected by intestate laws, such as 401(k)s and retirement accounts.

Read the following to understand the succession of intestate laws in Missouri:

• If the deceased leaves behind children but no spouse, the children receive the entire estate, divided equally.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse but no descendants, the spouse inherits the entire estate.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse and descendants from the deceased and that spouse, the spouse inherits the first $20,000 of the intestacy property, plus 1/2 of the balance. The descendants inherit the remainder.
• If the deceased leaves behind a spouse and descendants from the deceased and someone other than the spouse, the spouse inherits 1/2 of the intestate property and the descendants inherit everything else.
• If the deceased leaves behind parents and siblings, but no spouse or descendants, the parents and siblings inherit the intestate property in equal shares.
• If the deceased leaves behind parents, but no spouse, descendants, or siblings, the parents inherit the entire intestacy property.
• If the deceased leaves behind siblings but no spouse, descendants, or parents, the siblings inherit the entire intestacy property.

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

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one and is dealing with their estate, contact the lawyers at Meyerson and O’Neill law firm today at 877-373-8059.