What to do if my father died without a Will and I am his only child but his girlfriend wants to split his estate with me?
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What to do if my father died without a Will and I am his only child but his girlfriend wants to split his estate with me?
I think she should only get 25%. They were not married but has been together for 12 years.
Asked on April 3, 2015 under Estate Planning, Nevada
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
You don't have to give her anything: "girlfriend" is not a legally recognized relationship in your state, and being someone's girlfriend for 12 years does not entitle one to any of his belongings or possessions upon his death. Rather, if there was no will and you are the only child, it should all go to you under intestate succession (the rules for who inherits what when someone dies without a will). She can keep her own belongings of course, and any jointly owed property (like if they owned their house jointly, or had a joint bank account) will go to her since she survived him.
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