What happens if someone dies without a will in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, when an individual dies without a will, their estate is handled according to intestacy laws. These laws set forth a predetermined hierarchy for distributing the deceased person's assets among surviving relatives. This means that the state establishes who is entitled to inherit based on their relationship to the deceased, ensuring a structured and fair distribution of the estate.

Intestacy laws take into account various family members, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings, with priority given to closer relatives. This legal framework is essential because it provides a clear guideline for the distribution process, which can help avoid disputes among family members during what is typically an emotionally challenging time.

The other options presented do not accurately reflect the procedures in Tennessee regarding estates without a will. For example, the idea that the estate will be donated to charity is incorrect; intestacy laws specifically direct assets to family members rather than charitable organizations unless no relatives are found. The estate does not automatically go to the state; only when there are no identifiable heirs after following the intestacy rules might that occur. Lastly, while a family member may potentially be appointed to manage the estate, this is contingent on the legal process of intestacy, not an automatic outcome. Thus, the correct and comprehensive approach for handling an