If a decedent is not survived by parents, what is the next preference for distribution?

In situations where a decedent is not survived by their parents, the next preference for distribution typically goes to the descendants of the parents, which means the decedent's siblings. This principle follows the rules of intestate succession, which dictate how a decedent's estate is distributed when there is no valid will.

When there are no surviving parents, the law recognizes the importance of close relatives, specifically the next generation of the family, which is represented by siblings and their descendants. This ensures that the estate is passed to those who have a close familial connection to the decedent. By prioritizing descendants of the parents, the legal system seeks to preserve family ties and provide for those who are directly linked to the decedent's lineage.

The other options, while they may seem reasonable in certain contexts, do not follow the typical order of precedence seen in intestate succession laws. For instance, grandparents, though family, would generally be considered only if there were no siblings or their descendants. Similarly, the state would only claim the estate under escheat laws if there were absolutely no relatives to receive the assets. Thus, descendants of the parents, often in the form of siblings or their children, are the rightful beneficiaries in this scenario.