In the near future, I intend to introduce a bill to provide that when an individual dies intestate (without a will) and with no living heirs, his estate shall pass to a community foundation in his or her final county of residence. Under current law, a decedent’s estate will pass to the Commonwealth when he or she has no will and no heirs. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth’s procedures for handling escheated estates can prove bureaucratic and time-consuming. By requiring the estate to pass to a community foundation, we can ensure that the assets of an heirless decedent will be immediately put to use for charitable purposes in the county in which the individual resided, rather than sitting dormant in state coffers.

Please join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation to better protect our Commonwealth.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1208: 20-2103