If you are a California resident and you die without a will or trust, you die “intestate” which means the laws of intestate succession will determine who inherits your estate. Under intestate succession, the State of California decides who will inherit your estate, which includes your money and property. If you want friends or charities to inherit your estate, you must prepare a will or trust because under intestate succession only immediate family will inherit your estate. This will also likely require your loved ones to go to probate to administer your estate through intestate succession. It is always better to have a will or a trust.
