Intestate Succession in Wyoming
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Wyoming distributes to spouses first, then children, with equal shares among children if no spouse exists.
How Wyoming treats Intestate Succession
A surviving spouse receives the entire estate if there are no children, parents, or siblings. If children exist, the spouse receives one-half and children split the other half equally. Wyoming follows per stirpes succession for descendants of predeceased children. The state's rules follow a traditional common law intestacy pattern with straightforward priority rankings.
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 Wyoming.