who inherits?

[mrspask]

3 brothers own equal shares in house left by deceased parents.Oldest brother occupying house dies.He is widower whos wife had a son by previous marriage and has not been seen for 25 years.Does this person have claim to third share of property?

[follyfancier]

no only blood relatives of the deceased

[joggerjayne]

If the brothers own the house "jointly" then the surviving brothers inherit equally.

If they own the house "in common" then the deceased brother's share passes in accordance with his own Will.

If he has not left a Will, then it passes under the rules of intestacy.

If he has no, and no children (late wife's son by previous marriage has no entitlement), and the brothers' parents are also deceased, then the two surviving brothers inherit equally.

[joggerjayne]

"If he has no surviving spouse, and no children"

[mrspask]

thanks Folly F and Jogger G-much appreciated.