When a person dies in Florida without a Last Will and Testament, they are said to have died Intestate. This is called Intestate succession. You get no say over what happens to your money and property if this happens. Depending on whether you are married and have Descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.) from one or more marriages the Intestacy laws may dispose of your assets in a manner you never intended. If you have neither a spouse nor Descendants, then your estate may pass to relatives that you are even unaware you have. Further altering your intent from the actual provisions of intestate succession is the current status of your marriage. The status of your marriage is completely irrelevant in the eyes of the Intestacy law. If you are separated or estranged from your spouse, or even in the process of getting a divorce, your spouse is entitled to their legal share of your estate regardless. Proper planning through a Last Will and Testament can, subject to statutory entitlements of a spouse, minimize this unintended result. Intestate succession may not provide for the boyfriend or girlfriend, friends, stepchildren, nieces, nephews, or anyone else you may have wished to receive some part of your property.