Intestacy laws step in immediately when someone dies without clear instructions. These laws, which vary by state, decide who gets what from bank accounts, property, and personal items. It can lead to ...

When someone passes away without a will in our city, what happens next can be quite confusing, costly, and deeply personal. You might assume things fall into place, but state law takes over–fast. If ...

Bank accounts with named beneficiaries transfer directly to those people with just a death certificate and ID. Joint accounts with survivorship rights automatically belong to the surviving owner.

If you want certain assets to go to certain people in your life, you need a will or a trust. In the case of a home, it’s best to make sure your spouse’s name is on the deed if you want them to have ...

(NewsNation) — Securing life insurance helps a person protect their loved ones and ensure they’re cared for, should anything happen to them. When a buyer acquires life insurance, they designate a ...

Jessica Gibson is a content update editor and writer for Investopedia. She has over 10 years of experience in digital publishing and three years of experience covering financial topics like insurance, ...

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Here's what happens to your bank account when you die, from joint ownership and beneficiaries to the probate process.

If you never pick heirs, state laws—not your wishes—decide where your money goes. Learn how to protect assets and prevent ...