HAWAII PUZZLE

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

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE USING HAWAII LAW

Winston left no Spouse/RB, parent, sibling or their descendents, 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)
 

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 daughter of Winston’s mother, so she is a descendent 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 first cousin, so he is the child of Winston's deceased paternal aunt or uncle, and the grandchild of Winston's paternal grandparents.  Because Elvis' grandparents, and parents are deceased, Elvis inherits the entire $50,000.

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