Where there is a Will, there is a Way (to distribute your assets according to your wishes).

The time to make a Will and/or a Trust is now. Most people put off making a Will or a Trust because it is difficult to accept our own mortality. As such, many will kick the can down the road until it is too late. In Oklahoma, if you do not have a Will, or a properly made Trust, the distribution of assets will be determined by the government, not you or your wishes. Below is how the State of Oklahoma will distribute your assets when there is no Will.

The Oklahoma Statute Distributes your assets as follows:

Children but no spouse then the children inherit everything.

Spouse but no descendants, parents, or siblings, then the Spouse inherits everything.

Spouse and descendants from you and that spouse then the Spouse inherits 1/2 of your intestate property and your descendants inherit everything else

Spouse and at least one descendant from you and someone other than that spouse then:

1. Spouse inherits 1/2 of all property acquired by joint effort during your marriage and;

2. Splits the remaining intestate property equally with your descendants. Descendants inherit everything else.

Spouse and parents then spouse inherits all the property acquired by joint effort during marriage, plus 1/3 of the remaining intestate property. Parents inherit everything else.

Spouse and siblings then spouse inherits all the property acquired by joint effort during your marriage, plus 1/3 of the remaining intestate property. Siblings inherit everything else.

Parents but no spouse or descendants then parents inherit everything.

Siblings but no spouse, descendants, or parents then siblings inherit everything.

If no Spouse, Parents, Siblings, Children, then all goes to next of kin. If no next of kin, then to the State of Oklahoma.

If you do not agree with how your assets will be distributed without a Will, doesn’t it make sense to make your wishes known today? We are not promised a tomorrow. Make sure that those whom you want to have your assets are the ones who get them when something happens to you.