The Will

Hopefully a valid will, signed by the deceased, is available. Try to locate a copy of it. Check with the lawyer, family, and friends of the deceased who might know where the will is kept. It may be stored in a safe deposit box, which is sealed at the time of death in some states. (See the section on safe deposit boxes).

If the deceased did not have a will, this is referred to as dying “intestate”. In this case, the estate, including property and assets belonging to the deceased, will be disbursed according to state law. This will not include property where the title is in the name of the deceased and another person. This property will automatically pass on to the co-owner.

In Nevada if the deceased did not have a will, the property of the deceased will be distributed according to this formula:

All of the community property is disbursed to the spouse. As to any other property, if there is only one child, one-half to the spouse and one-half to the child. If there is more than one child, one-third to the spouse and two-thirds to the children. Other distribution laws will be followed if there is no spouse or no children.

Contact the Public Administrator for your county for more information on this topic