What is the first priority in the order of heirs under intestate succession?

In the context of intestate succession, the first priority in the order of heirs is indeed the parents or surviving parent of the deceased. This priority reflects the legal framework that typically views parents as the closest relatives when an individual dies without a will. Intestate laws are designed to distribute the decedent's assets in a manner that closely aligns with what most people would traditionally wish.

When there are surviving parents, they have the first claim to inherit the estate before other relatives. This prioritization is rooted in the idea of the family unit's closeness, with parents being considered more immediately responsible for the decedent's upbringing and welfare than siblings or more distant relatives.

In situations where both parents are deceased, the order of heirs shifts to siblings, grandparents, or other kin, depending on the specific intestacy laws of the jurisdiction. Therefore, it’s important to understand how the hierarchy of relatives is established, starting with parents, which ensures that an estate goes to those who have the most significant emotional and familial connection to the deceased.