Without a will, it goes to probate and lawyers and judges get to put chunks of it in their own pockets.
If you don’t have a will, the state has one written for you in its Probate Code.
That’s happening to me right now. My Dad passed away this year and his wife has Alzheimer’s. He decided to leave no will because “someone” in the family told him everything will pass to her as he wanted for her care. I had to file for conservator and costs are eating me alive, in addition to stress. No one else has stepped forward to help, but the lawyers, courts, investigators, probate referees et.al... are getting fat off of my Dad’s hard earned savings - they all feign compassion for my Step-mom’s condition, but it’s such a farce.
Make a will or trust.... spell it out and try to keep the wolves at bay.