Who are the legal heirs of an unmarried woman?

The legal heirs of an unmarried woman are determined by the intestate succession laws of her state of domicile at the time of her death. Generally, the first order of priority is:

1. Children: If an unmarried woman has any children, they will be her primary heirs.

2. Parents: If the unmarried woman has no children, her parents will inherit her estate.

3. Siblings: If the unmarried woman has no children or parents, her siblings will inherit her estate.

4. Next of Kin: If the unmarried woman has no children, parents, or siblings, her next of kin will inherit her estate. The definition of "next of kin" can vary from state to state, but it generally includes blood relatives such as aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents, and even more distant relatives.

It's important to note that the intestate succession laws can vary significantly from state to state, so it is advisable to consult with an estate planning attorney or the probate court in the jurisdiction where the unmarried woman resided to determine the specific legal heirs. Additionally, if an unmarried woman has created a valid will during her lifetime, the will may specify a different distribution of her estate, superseding the intestate succession laws.