The intestate succession statute in my state would determine who is entitled to a share of Prince's estate. Generally, the surviving spouse would receive the entire estate if there were no surviving children. If there are surviving children, the spouse would receive a percentage of the estate and the children would split the remainder. This process is similar to the process in Prince's state of Minnesota, where the surviving spouse would receive a portion of the estate and the remaining estate would be split between the surviving children.

The main benefit of having a valid will (testate) is that it allows the testator to decide who will receive a share of his or her estate. Without a will, the intestate succession statute determines who will receive a share of the estate. This means that the testator's wishes may not be followed, as they do not have the opportunity to decide who will receive a share of the estate. Additionally, having a will can help avoid disputes among family members over who is entitled to a share of the estate, as the wishes of the testator are made clear. Furthermore, having a will can help reduce the time and cost associated with probate, as the testator's wishes are already known.

QUESTION

What state are you referring to? Be sure to cite the statute(s).

When someone dies without a will, the estate can be tied up in probate for years.

Creditor claims and expenses of the estate can keep coming in and it can reduce what the heirs will ultimately receive. This can certainly also be the case when someone dies with a valid will in place.