First Week As A Surviving Spouse
Am I automatically entitled to their assets as a surviving spouse in California?
Short answer
Generally yes for community property — assets acquired during the marriage belong 50% to each spouse, and your spouse's 50% typically passes to you. But "typically" depends on whether there was a will, a trust, or other estate planning in place. Separate…
What this usually means
Generally yes for community property — assets acquired during the marriage belong 50% to each spouse, and your spouse's 50% typically passes to you. But "typically" depends on whether there was a will, a trust, or other estate planning in place. Separate property — what they owned before marriage or inherited — follows the will or California's intestate succession rules. Do not assume you get everything automatically without confirming how assets were titled.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.