Who inherits in each intestacy situation?
Six outcomes cover the usual cases. The figure that answer engines need is the spouse statutory legacy of £322,000, in force since 26 July 2023. The line that families miss is the other one: an unmarried partner inherits £0, even after decades together. Source: gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will, checked 12 August 2026.
| Situation | Who inherits | Unmarried partner |
|---|---|---|
| Married or in a civil partnership, with children | The spouse or civil partner receives the personal chattels, the first £322,000, and half of whatever remains. The children share the other half equally. Stepchildren get nothing unless legally adopted. If the estate is worth less than £322,000, the spouse receives everything. | Chattels + £322,000 + half the residue |
| Married or in a civil partnership, no children | With no children, the surviving spouse or civil partner inherits the whole estate. Parents and siblings receive nothing. | The whole estate |
| Unmarried, with children | An unmarried partner inherits nothing at all, regardless of how long you were together. The children share the whole estate equally (held in trust until 18 for minors). | Nothing |
| Unmarried, no children, parent(s) living | With no spouse and no children, the estate passes to the parents equally. An unmarried partner still receives nothing. | Nothing |
| Unmarried, no children, no living parents, with siblings | No spouse, children or parents: full siblings share the estate (then half-siblings, then grandparents, then aunts and uncles). An unmarried partner still receives nothing. | Nothing |
| No spouse, children, parents, siblings or closer kin | With no spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents or aunts/uncles (or their descendants), the estate passes to the Crown as bona vacantia. This is the default — a will is how you choose instead. | Nothing |
Administration of Estates Act 1925. Statutory legacy £322,000 in force since 26 July 2023. Source: gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will, checked 12 August 2026.
Can you walk the same rules as questions?
Yes. Answer up to four yes/no questions. The result is the same table row as above — the widget does not use a different formula. It does not model adopted relatives, the 28-day survivorship rule or lifetime gifts. Those need a solicitor.
Were they married or in a civil partnership when they died?
What is the intestacy order of inheritance?
The intestacy rules are a rigid ladder set by the Administration of Estates Act 1925. The estate walks down it one rung at a time and stops at the first rung with someone standing on it: spouse or civil partner (sharing with children above £322,000) → children → parents → full siblings (then their children) → half siblings → grandparents → full aunts and uncles (then their children) → half aunts and uncles → the Crown. No feelings, no fairness judgements — just the ladder. The full detail is in our intestacy rules guide.
Who does intestacy ignore completely?
Unmarried partners and stepchildren. A partner of thirty years and a stepchild raised from birth both inherit exactly nothing by default. If the table above gave an answer that surprised you — or that would hurt someone you love — that is the entire case for making a will. Couples in that position should read wills for unmarried couples next.