Ace the CFP Estate Planning Challenge 2026 – Unlock Your Future in Finance!

Under intestate laws, the distribution of a deceased person's estate is established by statutes that vary by state. Generally, individuals who are closely related to the decedent, such as blood relatives, spouses, and adopted children, are eligible to inherit under these laws.

Same-sex couples who are not blood-related can be ineligible to inherit if they are not legally recognized as spouses or partners at the time of the decedent's death. In many jurisdictions, only legally married spouses and sometimes domestic partners have legal rights to inherit under intestacy laws. Therefore, a same-sex couple that does not have legally recognized status may not qualify for inheritance under intestate succession, resulting in option C being the correct choice.

Blood relatives, spouses, and adopted children all have established rights under intestate succession laws. Blood relatives directly related to the deceased will typically be prioritized as heirs. Spouses, regardless of their gender, generally have strong inheritance rights. Adopted children are treated equally to biological children under intestate laws, meaning they have the same rights to inherit from their adoptive parents as biological children do. This ensures that all dependent family members, regardless of genetic ties, are adequately provided for under the law.