Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 10, 2026 Sa Sa a Sa y Senior enior Sen by Jim Miller What Happens if You Die Without a Will? Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve put off making a will for years. What actually happens to my money and property if I die without one? --Getting Old Dear Getting, If you die without a will, your assets will be distributed according to the laws of your state, known as intestacy laws. These laws determine who inherits your property and fi nancial accounts when there’s no will or trust. Since rules vary from state to state, it’s important to check the specifi cs where you live. A helpful starting point is heirbase.com, which off ers Intestacy Evaluators for 37 states. You enter your household information and see how your estate might be distributed. If your state isn’t included, Nolo has a useful state-bystate intestate succession guide at nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/ intestate-succession. In the meantime, here is a general overview of what can happen, depending on your family situation. Married with children: When a married person with children dies without a will, all property, investments and fi nancial accounts that are “jointly owned” automatically goes to the surviving co-owner without going through probate, which is the legal process that distributes a deceased person’s assets. But for all other separately owned property or individual fi nancial accounts, the laws of most states award one-third to one-half to the surviving spouse, while the rest goes to the children. Married with no children: Some states award the entire estate to the surviving spouse, or everything up to a certain amount (for example the first $100,000). But many other states award only one-third to onehalf of the decedent’s separately owned assets to the surviving spouse, with the remainder generally going to the deceased person’s parents, or if the parents are dead, to brothers and sisters. Jointly owned property, investments, financial accounts, or community property automatically goes to the surviving co-owner. Single with children: All state laws provide that the entire estate goes to the children, in equal shares. If an adult child of the decedent has died, then that child’s children (the decedent’s grandchildren) split their parent’s share. Single with no children or grandchildren: In this situation, most state laws favor the deceased person’s parents. If both parents are deceased, many states divide the property among the brothers and sisters, or if they are not living, their children (your nieces and nephews). If there are none of them, it goes to the next of kin, and if there is no living family, the state takes it. Make a Will To ensure your assets go to those you want to receive them, you need to create a will or trust. If you have a simple estate and an uncomplicated family situation, there are do-it-yourself resources that can help you create all these documents for very little money. Some top-rated options include the Quicken WillMaker & Trust (willmaker.com, $109) and Trust & Will (trustandwill.com, $199). Or, if that’s more than you’re willing to pay, you can make your will for free at freewill. com or doyourownwill.com. If, however, you want or need assistance or if you have a complicated financial situation, blended family or have considerable assets, you should hire an attorney. An experienced attorney can make sure you cover all your bases, which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone. Costs will vary depending on where you live, but you can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $1,000 for a will. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (actec.org) websites are good resources that have directories to help you fi nd someone in your area. If money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (fi ndlegalhelp.org) to fi nd low-cost legal help in your area. Or call the Eldercare Locater at 800-6771116 for a referral. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nr ior ~ Everett Public Libraries Calendar of Events ~ April 14–19 Check out seeds from the library! The Seed Library is back at the Everett Public Libraries, just in time for spring. You can check out up to fi ve seed packets per family from either the Shute or Parlin Libraries. Only available while supplies last! The Everett Public Libraries’ Annual Poetry Contest is back and now open to all ages. This year we are encouraging a poetic theme: 250 Years of Independence! Open to all Everett residents with an Everett Public Libraries card. Submit an original poem by the April 17 deadline and you could win a prize, courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Everett. The Winners’ Recital and Awards Ceremony on April 28 will be a celebration for the books! Parlin Adult and Teens Gaming Club: Parlin YA Room, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. Join us for board games and video games at the library! Bring your own or play what we have here — for ages 12 and up. Yarn Club: Parlin Fireplace Room, Tuesday, April 14, at 7 p.m. Come chit-chat and stitch! Bring your crocheting, knitting or any other yarn craft and sit and socialize with other members of the crafting community — recommended for ages 14-109! “Memories Flow Beneath It: From Valley to Quabbin”: Parlin Meeting Room, Wednesday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m. Roger Hagopian, in collaboration with author and historian J.R. Greene, presents a documentary fi lm that traces the displacement of people and their lost way of life. Silent Book Club Everett: Parlin Fresco Room, Saturday, April 18, from 12-2 p.m. Join our unique book club where we enjoy quiet reading at the Parlin Memorial Library. Settle into our cozy couches with a book and enjoy an hour or two of uninterrupted reading alongside fellow book lovers. Parlin Children’s Poetry Fun: Stop by the Children’s Rooms at the Parlin and Shute branches this month to add a line to our magnetic poetry board. Don’t forget to add a poem to the Poet-Tree before you go! SPORTS | FROM PAGE 14 went on to lose to Belmont, another non-league opponent, at Watertown on April 3, 6-0, before getting dominated by host Malden in the GBL opener on Lego Club: Parlin Children’s Room, Monday, April 13, from 3-5 p.m. Come to the Children’s Room after school on Mondays for some free Lego-building fun. Open to all ages; children under six years old must be accompanied by an adult; no registration required. Storytime and Sing-along with Karen: Parlin Children’s Room, Wednesday, April 15, at 11 a.m. Join us for a fun-fi lled morning of singing and storytelling with Karen! Suggested ages: newborn to six. Drama Class: Parlin Children’s Room, Wednesday, April 15, at 3 p.m. Do you have a drama queen or king at home? Drama Class in the Parlin Children’s Department is the perfect opportunity for your child to put those acting skills to use with our drama coach! Suggested ages: six to 14. Shute Adult and Teens Found Poetry Collages: Shute Meeting Room, Tuesday, April 14, at 3 p.m. Join us for a poetry collage event that celebrates Poetry Month by transforming recycled magazine words into a brand-new poem. By cutting, arranging and reimagining printed text, it’s a reminder that your voice can be discovered anywhere — even hidden in everyday magazines! For ages 14 and up; registration is required. Ready Player One Games: Shute Meeting Room, April 15 at 2:30 p.m. Level up your April 6, 13-2. The Tide then took on Revere in another road game on April 8 (after press deadline). After that, they will fi nally make their 2026 Glendale Park debut against non-league WhitWednesdays with our ultimate gaming hangout! Grab your friends and dive into fun Nintendo Switch and PlayStation games — whether you’re racing, battling or teaming up for co-op fun, there’s something for everyone. Artisan’s Circle: Shute Meeting Room, Thursday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. Join Artisan’s Circle, a creative open studio with a relaxed, welcoming space for artists and crafters of all levels to work, connect and get inspired! Shute Children’s Blackout Poetry: Stop by Shute Memorial Library Children’s Department throughout the month of April. Put your imagination to the test with Blackout Poetry! Can you fi nd a poem in someone else’s words? Recommended for ages six-plus; children under eight may need extra guidance. Miss Val’s Storytime Pals: Shute Children’s Room, Mondays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 12 p.m. What’s better than a good story? Sharing it with friends! Join Miss Val for Fairytale Fun! Master Builders: Lego Free-play: Shute Children’s Room, Thursdays from 3-5 p.m.; free-play session with Legos and other building blocks. Bring a buddy, or make a new one, as you explore your imagination brick by brick! We provide the space and the materials to let your vision take shape. What will you create? Registration is not required. Children under age six must be accompanied by an adult. tier Tech on Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m., and will remain at home for four more games, including two next week against Lynn English (April 13) and Chelsea (April 15). Both games will start at 4 p.m.
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