What happens to the assets if a will is considered invalid?

When a will is deemed invalid, the legal framework that guides the distribution of a deceased person's assets shifts from the deceased's expressed wishes to the default rules set forth by state intestacy laws. These laws dictate how the assets will be divided among the surviving relatives of the deceased, typically prioritizing spouses and children before extending to other relatives like parents or siblings.

This process is designed to ensure that assets are transferred to heirs in a manner that aligns with statutory guidelines when no valid will exists. In contrast, if a will had been valid, its specific instructions would dictate the distribution of assets according to the deceased's intentions. Thus, the key aspect here is that without a valid will, the wishes of the deceased are not honored, and intestacy laws take precedence to provide a clear method for asset distribution.