What is the effect on a person who intentionally causes the death of a decedent regarding their interest in the decedent's estate?

When an individual intentionally causes the death of a decedent, the legal principle that applies is that such a person is generally barred from inheriting from the decedent's estate. This principle is rooted in the doctrine of public policy, which aims to prevent individuals from profiting from their wrongdoing.

In the context of wills and estates, this means that if someone intentionally kills another person, they forfeit any rights they may have had to inherit from that person's estate. This forfeiture serves both as a punitive measure against the wrongdoer and as a means of promoting justice and preventing the taint of crime from benefiting the perpetrator.

The other options do not accurately reflect this principle. For instance, suggesting the estate is divided among all heirs does not take into account the implications of intentional misconduct. Similarly, the notion that the individual retains their share undermines the intent of the laws governing inheritance in cases of intentional homicide. Lastly, stating that the estate is passed to the state would not accurately represent the typical outcome, as there would be legal heirs, possibly other beneficiaries who would inherit in the absence of the wrongdoer. Thus, the forfeiture of the interest in the estate for the individual responsible for the decedent’s death is the correct and