Understanding Intestacy - Term, Questions and Answers

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Understanding Intestacy Part 1
Term, Questions, and Answers By The Deason
Garner Law Firm
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 Intestacy What is intestacy? Every capable
adult in the state of Arizona has the right to
create a last will and testament in which they
can make inheritance choices. If you dont write
a will you are said to have died intestate.
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• Intestate Estates
• What is my estate?
• Your estate is the collection of property you
  leave behind after you die. That property must be
  distributed to new owners. An intestate estate is
  one that is distributed in accordance with
  Arizonas pre-determined inheritance laws,
  instead of through the choices you could have
  made in your will.

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Inheritances Who inherits from my intestate
estate? Your closest relatives will usually
inherit your property should you die intestate.
If youre married, your spouse will keep a lot of
property automatically, while the rest will be
distributed between your spouse and other living
relatives, such as your children, siblings, or
parents. (We explain more about this in our next
Intestacy presentation.)
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Probate Court What does it mean for an estate to
be probated? The probate court is responsible
for overseeing the distribution of intestate
estates. The court will name a personal
representative, also called an estate
administrator, who will be responsible for
identifying what property you left behind, and
then determining who is legally entitled to
inherit it.