ALABAMA PUZZLE

Winston died intestate leaving $100,000.  His only relatives were his Aunt Susie (on his mother’s side) and her two children Ramona and Abigail, and a second cousin Elvis, on his father’s side (i.e., the son of a deceased cousin). How much does each relative receive?

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE USING ALABAMA LAW

Winston left no spouse, brothers, sisters, nephews or nieces, so his Estate is divided with half ($50,000) going to his grandparents (or their descendants) on his mother’s side and the other half ($50,000) going to his grandparents (or their descendants) on his father’s side.     

     MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS            PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS  
WINSTON'S MOTHER (deceased)   AUNT SUSIE  WINSTON’S FATHER (deceased)  AUNT (OR UNCLE) (deceased) 
WINSTON’S FIRST COUSIN (deceased)  
ELVIS  (WINSTON’S SECOND COUSIN)  

MOTHER’S RELATIVES
Winston’s maternal grandparents are deceased, so the $50,000 goes to the descendants of his maternal grandparents.  Aunt Susie is the sister of Winston’s mother, so she is a descendant of Winston’s maternal grandparents.  Aunt Susie gets the entire $50,000. Her children get nothing because their mother is still alive.

FATHER’S RELATIVES
Elvis is a second cousin, so he is the child of Winston’s deceased first cousin, the grandchild of Winston’s paternal aunt or uncle, and the great grandchild of Winston’s paternal grandparents.  Because Elvis’ great-grandparent, and grandparents and parents are deceased, Elvis inherits the entire $50,000.

ANSWER: Aunt Susie gets $50,000 and Elvis gets $50,000.