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 ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Matthew F. Erskine is a trusts and estates attorney. A common misconception is that the absence of a will is a problem. In reality ...

The case of Zappos owner Tony Hsieh, the late billionaire who was initially believed to have died intestate, without a valid will, took an unexpected turn when an apparent original will surfaced years ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Marguerita is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor ...