If a husband kills his wife and then himself, who gets their estate?
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If a husband kills his wife and then himself, who gets their estate?
Asked on February 21, 2014 under Estate Planning, Alabama
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
The murderer cannot profit from the crime. If he left a Will, it would be invalidated.
If the wife left a Will, it would be applicable.
If the wife did not leave a Will, the rules of intestate succession would determine inheritance. Intestate means dying without a Will. In this situation, the children of the wife would inherit equal shares of her estate. If there are no surviving children, but there are surviving grandchildren, they would inherit equal shares of the estate. If there are no grandchildren, the wife's siblings would inherit equal shares of the estate. If there are no siblings, the wife's parents would inherit the estate. If there are no parents or grandparents, the wife's next of kin would inherit the estate. If there is no next of kin, the estate would escheat to the state.
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