Legal Definitions - parentelic method

Definition: The parentelic method is a way of determining who inherits the estate of a childless person who died without a will and is not survived by parents or their descendants. It involves tracing the family tree through the deceased person's grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on until an eligible heir is found.

Example: If John died without a will and had no children, spouse, or surviving parents, the parentelic method would be used to determine who inherits his estate. First, the search would look for John's grandparents and their descendants. If none are found, the search would continue to great-grandparents and their descendants, and so on until an eligible heir is found.

The Uniform Probate Code uses a limited parentelic system, which means that if no eligible heir is found after searching for grandparents and their descendants, the estate would escheat to the state.

Explanation: The parentelic method is used to determine who inherits the estate of a person who died without a will and has no surviving spouse, children, or parents. It involves tracing the family tree through the deceased person's grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on until an eligible heir is found. The Uniform Probate Code uses a limited parentelic system, which means that if no eligible heir is found after searching for grandparents and their descendants, the estate would escheat to the state.