What happens if I die without a will?

If you die without a will, a probate court will assign your assets to beneficiaries according to state law. Usually this prioritizes the surviving spouse and children, then more distant relatives. If you have a more specific estate plan goal, such as making sure grandchildren are prioritized, writing a will can be beneficial. However, certain assets can avoid probate, even if you die without a will. Life insurance policies, certain trusts, and retirement accounts with designated beneficiaries can bypass probate and go straight to beneficiaries.