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→Understand the legal framework
===The law says how someone’s estate is distributed if they die without a will===
If someone dies without a will, the [http://canlii.ca/t/52x69#sec20 law in BC] says how their '''estate''' will be divided. A person’s estate is made up of the property and belongings they own on their death, with some exceptions (as explained in our information on the [https://dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca/your-duties-as-executor/ [Your Duties As Executor (Script 178)|duties of an executor]]). The estate will be divided on an intestacy depending on the mix of relatives the deceased person leaves behind.
If the deceased leaves '''a spouse and no descendants''', the estate goes to their spouse. A “descendant” means a surviving person of the generation nearest to the deceased. This will almost always be children only. For example, grandchildren would get a share of the estate only if their parent (the deceased’s child) died before the deceased.
*Put all money in an estate account and use it to pay the estate's debts, income taxes, legal and accounting expenses, and possibly an administration fee.
*Pay any money left over to the heirs of the estate.
*Report to the heirs listing all money received, debts and expenses paid, fees charged, and details of how the estate was distributed.
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