Tools · England & Wales
Who inherits? (intestacy calculator)
Last reviewed 18 August 2026
When there is no will, the law decides who inherits — and the outcome often surprises. This reckoner applies the intestacy rules to your situation.
See who inherits
Who inherits? (intestacy)
The rules in brief
Where there is a spouse and children, the spouse takes the possessions, the first £322,000 (the statutory legacy, set on 26 July 2023) and half the remainder; the children share the rest. With a spouse and no children, the spouse takes everything. With children and no spouse, the children share it all. An unmarried partner inherits nothing under these rules.
Questions
Does my partner inherit if we aren’t married?+
Not under the intestacy rules — an unmarried partner inherits nothing without a will.
Official sources
GOV.UK — Applying for probateGOV.UK — Inheritance TaxGOV.UK — If someone dies without a willSources. GOV.UK, If someone dies without a will (intestacy); statutory legacy £322,000 from 26 July 2023.