Who inherits if there is no will in England and Wales?

Under the Rules of Intestacy, a surviving spouse or civil partner inherits everything if there are no children. With children, the spouse receives the first £322,000, personal possessions, and half of the remainder. Children share the other half equally.

Rules of Intestacy — England & Wales

Intestacy Calculator

Who inherits when there is no will — England and Wales · statutory legacy £322,000 · updates instantly

Adjust inputs — distribution updates instantly

England & Wales

Net estate value

Total assets after debts, funeral costs and IHT.

Surviving spouse or civil partner?

Surviving children or descendants?

Includes children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the deceased.

Number of children (or child branches)

Cohabiting partners have no automatic right to inherit under intestacy. This tool covers England and Wales only — Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules.