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I want to understand how death works legally.
Start with the court process, the documents that still matter at death, and the state rules that decide what happens when no valid plan controls an asset.
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Understand probate from beginning to end
Learn what probate is, which assets may enter the process, what the court does, and why the timeline varies.
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Resources for this exact question
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See what happens without a will
Intestacy laws determine who inherits probate assets when a person dies without a valid will.
Understand intestacyKnow when a power of attorney ends
A power of attorney generally ends at death. The executor or court-appointed representative then has a different role.
Compare the legal rolesRead the law for your state
Probate, wills, advance directives, and disposition rules depend on the jurisdiction.
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The MORTL guides linked on this page show their citations. Articles show publication dates. State-specific pages show review dates and link to the statutes and official agencies behind the guidance. Read MORTL's sources and methodology.
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