Heirs
Learn about heirs in estate planning - who inherits your assets, how inheritance works, and what happens when heirs aren't named in your will or trust.
What happens if one of my heirs dies before me?
If an heir dies before you, what happens depends on your estate planning documents and state law. In a will or trust, you can name alternate beneficiaries or specify that the deceased heir's share goes to their children (called per stirpes distribution). Without these provisions, the inheritance typically gets redistributed among your surviving heirs according to your state's laws. This is why estate planning documents should always include backup beneficiaries and clear instructions for these situations.
