This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.
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When a person dies, their belongings (i.e., assets) are distributed to others (i.e., beneficiaries). If the decedent passes property to beneficiaries through contract, the assets will be passed along outside of the formal probate process. If the decedent died with a will, property will be distributed in accordance with the will's directions. If the decedent set up a trust, trust property will be distributed that way. If the decedent died without a will or any other means of distribution, their property will be distributed in accordance with their state law of intestacy.