A man died without a will and with no sur- viving relatives. His four-acre farm will

Hey there, welcome back to our real estate license exam prep podcast. Today, we're diving into a real estate math question that's actually quite easy but can be tricky if you don't understand the concept. Let's hear what you think about this one.

Exactly! This question is testing your understanding of intestate succession and property distribution when someone dies without a will. It's a crucial concept in real estate practice because agents often deal with estate situations.

That's a good start. The correct answer is D: pass to the man’s devisees. This term 'devisees' is the legal term for beneficiaries who inherit property under a will, but it can also refer to heirs when no will exists.

Exactly. The question specifies that he has no surviving relatives, but it doesn't say there are no heirs at all. That's why escheat, which is option A, is incorrect. Escheat only occurs when there are absolutely no heirs, relatives, or beneficiaries of any kind.

Option B, reverting back to the original grantor, is incorrect because property doesn't automatically revert to prior owners upon death. Option C, going to a testatrix, is wrong because a testatrix is a woman who makes a will, which contradicts the scenario of dying without a will.

Absolutely. That's a great memory technique. When you see 'dies without a will,' immediately think 'intestate succession' to heirs, not automatic escheat. Only choose escheat if the question explicitly states there are absolutely no heirs of any kind.

You're welcome. Remember, property distribution can be like a game of musical chairs with inheritance. When the music stops (death without a will), people (heirs) sit in the chairs (inherit property). Only when absolutely no one is left does the government gets the chair.

You're welcome! Keep up the good work, and remember, practice makes perfect. Good luck on your exam!