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Who inherits if there is no will?

Answer a few questions and see who the law picks, and who it leaves out. This shows the law in England and Wales today.

Your family, under the rules

Nothing you choose here is saved or sent.

Are you married or living with a partner?
Do you have children?
Are any of them from an earlier relationship?
Do you have step-children you have not adopted?

Optional. Leave it at nothing to see the rule in words only.

Who inherits

Your husband, wife or civil partner
Your personal belongings, the first £322,000 with interest, and half of the rest.
Your children
The other half of the rest, shared equally. Each child takes their share at 18.

Inherits nothing under these rules

Your parents
They inherit nothing when your husband, wife or civil partner survives you.
Your brothers and sisters
They inherit nothing when your husband, wife or civil partner survives you.

Who can apply to deal with the estate

  1. Your husband, wife or civil partner
  2. Your children

Your husband, wife or civil partner must live for 28 days after you. If not, the estate passes as if there were none.

If one of your children has died before you, their own children share that child’s part.

With a will, you choose.

Five common families

The same rules, for five family shapes.

  1. Married, with children

    Your husband, wife or civil partner
    Your personal belongings, the first £322,000 with interest, and half of the rest.
    Your children
    The other half of the rest, shared equally. Each child takes their share at 18.
    Your parents
    They inherit nothing when your husband, wife or civil partner survives you.
    Your brothers and sisters
    They inherit nothing when your husband, wife or civil partner survives you.

  2. Married, no children

    Your husband, wife or civil partner
    Everything, whatever its value.
    Your parents
    They inherit nothing when your husband, wife or civil partner survives you.
    Your brothers and sisters
    They inherit nothing when your husband, wife or civil partner survives you.

  3. Living together, not married, with children

    Your children
    Everything, shared equally. Each child takes their share at 18.
    Your partner
    An unmarried partner inherits nothing, however long you have lived together.
    Your parents
    They inherit nothing when you leave children.
    Your brothers and sisters
    They inherit nothing when you leave children.

  4. Living together, not married, no children, parents living

    Your parents
    Everything, shared equally if both are living.
    Your partner
    An unmarried partner inherits nothing, however long you have lived together.
    Your brothers and sisters
    They inherit nothing when a parent survives you.

  5. Single, no children, no parents living, brothers and sisters

    Your brothers and sisters
    Everything, shared equally. If one has died, their children share that part. Full brothers and sisters come before half-brothers and half-sisters.

This result is an indication from your answers alone, not legal advice. Each case is assessed on its own merits. Aaron confirms what you need, in writing, once he has looked at your circumstances.

Any figure set by law is as at October 2026. Aaron checks each point against your facts.

Figures checked on 26 October 2026.

Next step

Ready when you are.

Or call 01262 310 850, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm.