Legal Question in Administrative Law in Massachusetts

What happens to the wife if a husband dies without a will. We have step children. and the husband has singled out his daughters and names them on his IRA account. I have named him on mine as primary and my sons secondary. Does the wife have any rights to half of the money???


Asked on 6/06/13, 7:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Christopher Vaughn-Martel Charles River Law Partners, LLC

First, the estate of a person who dies without a will ("intestate") will be distributed according to the intestacy statutes of the appropriate state. I will assume we are talking about Massachusetts law. A spouse has certain rights vis a vis his or her marriage to the probate estate of the deceased spouse. You should speak with an attorney who can assist you in obtaining an appointment as personal representative from the appropriate Court and managing the administration of the estate. If the question relates to you and your spouse, please accept my condolences.

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Answered on 6/07/13, 6:07 am


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