Intestate Succession in Kentucky
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Kentucky gives the surviving spouse a substantial share, with the remainder going to children or other heirs in a fixed order.
How Kentucky treats Intestate Succession
A surviving spouse receives the first $30,000 of the estate plus one-half of the remaining balance if children survive, or the entire estate if no children exist. If no spouse survives, the estate passes to children equally, then to parents, siblings, and more distant relatives in a statutory order. Kentucky uses per stirpes succession for descendants.
The general definition of Intestate Succession
The legal process of distributing a deceased person's property when they leave no valid will.
If someone dies without a will (or with an invalid will), state law determines who inherits their property. Each state has a set order of priority—usually spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings. The court appoints an administrator to manage the estate and follow these statutory rules, even if the deceased person's wishes were different.
Read the full Intestate Succession entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Kentucky.