Rules of intestacy in England

[Silver Fox]

My brother-in-law died recently, without a will. My sister is his widow, they were married and they have a seventeen year old son.
Can anyone give me an example of how the intestacy rules in England will work if his estate, net assets, amounts to say £400,000? Also, if my sister were to receive a lump sum from his employer because of death in service, four times annual salary, would this sit outside his estate and is it taxable?*

[des8]

Hi and welcome
Sorry to hear of your loss.

Does the £400,000 estimate include the value of the marital home?
If so was it owned as joint tenants or tenants in common?

The death in service benefit is a tax free sum,* often paid into a* discretionary* trust.