How Property is Transferred After Death Without a Will

Without a will, your state probate court decides where your property goes after your death.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.


The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.

Updated · 1 min read
Profile photo of Erin Oppenheim
Written by Erin Oppenheim
Writer
Profile photo of Claire Tsosie
Edited by Claire Tsosie
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

If you die without a will, called dying intestate, your state's probate court decides where to transfer your property and personal belongings. Intestate succession laws vary by state, but your property will generally pass to your next of kin or the state if no relatives can be found.

Without a will, probate — the process of distributing your assets after your die — can be a longer, more complex process for your loved ones. Estate planning tools such as wills, trusts, transfer-on-death deeds and payable-on-death designations can simplify the process.

Advertisement
Trust & Will - Will

GoodTrust

LegalZoom - Last Will

Price (one-time)

Will: one-time fee of $199 per individual or $299 for couples. Trust: one-time fee of $499 per individual or $599 for couples.

Price (one-time)

$149 for estate plan bundle. Promotion: NerdWallet users can save up to $10.

Price (one-time)

Will: $199 for Basic, $299 for Premium with attorney assist. Trust: $499 for Basic, $599 for Premium with attorney assist.

Price (annual)

$19 annual membership fee.

Price (annual)

$39

Price (annual)

$199 per year for attorney assistance after the first year.

Access to attorney support

Yes

Access to attorney support

No

Access to attorney support

Yes

How property transfer in probate works

Most estates must go through probate, but the process can look different depending on whether you have a will.

Property transfer with a will

  1. Probate begins when the last will and testament and a certified copy of the death certificate are submitted to the county court of the deceased. 

  2. The executor named in the will handles the estate administration. This includes distributing property and accounts to beneficiaries and ensuring that outstanding debts, taxes, and funeral expenses are paid.

  3. If you have beneficiary-designated accounts such as life insurance and retirement accounts, those assets will usually pass directly to the beneficiaries named without passing through probate

    American Bar Association. The Probate Process. Accessed Jun 19, 2024.
    .

Property transfer without a will

  1. Your local probate court follows your state's intestate laws, typically using the next-of-kin designation to determine beneficiaries and distribute the assets accordingly

    Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Will. Accessed Jun 19, 2024.

  2. The state can take possession of the property in a process called escheat if the probate court is unable to contact any next-of-kin to name heirs

  3. If the property is solely owned, heirs designated by the court must sign, notarize, and submit an affidavit of heirship to the court before the transfer of the property deed can occur. 

  4. If the property is jointly owned, the surviving owner is generally considered the heir. The surviving owner must submit a certified copy of the deceased owner's death certificate and an affidavit of survivorship to the probate court to transfer sole ownership. 

How long do you have to transfer property after death?

Transferring property after death may be virtually immediate if the estate and/or assets avoid the probate process and it's clear who the beneficiary is. If the assets have to go through the probate process, however, transferring property after death can take weeks, months or years, in some cases.

How to avoid property transfer in probate

Transfer on death deed

Property held in a transfer on death (TOD) deed automatically transfers to a beneficiary when the owner dies. This estate planning tool keeps the property from going through probate. TOD deeds are not available in every state; check with an estate attorney to find out if it's available to you.

Payable on death bank account

A payable on death (POD) account works similarly to a TOD deed by transferring a bank account directly to a beneficiary upon the owner's death.

To claim the account, the beneficiary will need to provide the bank with their identification and a certified copy of the account owner's death certificate.

Trusts

Property held in a trust — a legal arrangement that authorizes someone else to handle your assets — also bypasses probate. Many types of trusts exist for different purposes, and some trusts can reduce estate taxes

Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Trusts. Accessed Jun 19, 2024.
.

Trusts can give you greater control over your assets, but they can be more expensive and time-consuming to set up than other estate planning tools.

Wills

Wills aren't required, but they can significantly reduce complications in the probate process and ensure that your wishes are honored in the event of death. You can write a will with an estate planning attorney or through online will-writing software.

» Need some help? Check out our roundup of the best online will makers

Compare online will makers

Advertisement
Company
NerdWallet
rating
Price
(one-time)
Price
(annual)
Access to
attorney support
Learn more
Ease of use
Trust & Will - Will
Trust & Will - Will
Get started

on Trust & Will's website

Will: one-time fee of $199 per individual or $299 for couples. Trust: one-time fee of $499 per individual or $599 for couples. $19 annual membership fee.Yes
Get started

on Trust & Will's website

Digital Assets
GoodTrust
GoodTrust
Get started

on GoodTrust's website

$149 for estate plan bundle. Promotion: NerdWallet users can save up to $10.$39No
Get started

on GoodTrust's website

State-specific legal advice
LegalZoom - Last Will
LegalZoom - Last Will
Get started

on LegalZoom's website

Will: $199 for Basic, $299 for Premium with attorney assist. Trust: $499 for Basic, $599 for Premium with attorney assist.$199 per year for attorney assistance after the first year.Yes
Get started

on LegalZoom's website

Comprehensive services
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker - WillMaker
Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker - WillMaker
Get started

on Nolo's website

None$99 to $209 per year.No
Get started

on Nolo's website

Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.

Get matched with a trusted financial advisor for free with NerdWallet Advisors Match.

    on NerdWallet Advisors Match

    AD