Probate records were recently filed showing that Winehouse died intestate, meaning without a valid will.

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What if you die intestate with a second spouse and kids from a first marriage?

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What if you die intestate leaving no spouse (common law or otherwise) and no kids?

FORBES: Where There's No Will

But when asked to divide up an intestate's assets, they follow Islamic law, giving daughters half as much as sons.

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Morse employs some 14, 000 freelance researchers who finger through courthouse filings looking for people who have died either intestate or with missing heirs.

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If you die intestate--meaning without a proper will or living trust--your assets will be divvied up according to the law in the state where you live.

FORBES: Where There's No Will

For example, if you die without a will (this is called dying intestate) and married with children, the statute divides your property between your surviving spouse and your children of whatever age.

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And since 1991 the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, a group dedicated to rationalizing and harmonizing state laws, has urged states to make this the default for a married person with kids (but no children from a previous marriage) who dies intestate.

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