eli5: What happens to the wealth of a rich person after they die unexpectedly without any spouse or heir and without a will

Question

eli5: What happens to the wealth of a rich person after they die unexpectedly without any spouse or heir and without a will

In: 2

Answer 1

Goes to the state. Dying without a will is called dying “intestate”. The estate goes into probate with the probate court to determine where the money goes. There is a hierarchy that is usually used, starting with the spouse, then children, etc., but if there are no living relatives, the estate is given to the state