If you die without a will or if your will ‘fails’, you die ‘intestate’. This means that the law takes over in how your estate is distributed on death. This is dictated by the Administration of Estates Act 1925, the Intestate Estates Act 1954 and then a further act the Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act 2014. If you die without a will:
Death, No Will, With a Spouse/Civil Partner
Death, No Will, No Spouse or Civil Partner
The Administration of Estates Act 1925 (as amended) sets out the order of priority for estate distribution:
Your step children are not included in the administration of an estate or entitled to any distribution of your estate.
If you have step-children, you need to make a will to make sure they are included and can benefit from your estate.