When someone (non-muslim) passes away without a will, the property he leaves behind will be distributed among his family members according to the Distribution Act 1958. In order to inherit the estate, the next of kin may consider applying for Letter Of Administration, appointing administrator(s) to distribute the property the deceased leaves behind.

Section 6 of the Distribution Act 1958 provides as follows:-

(a) if an intestate dies leaving a spouse and no issue (i.e., children and the descendants of deceased children) and no parent or parents, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to the whole of the estate;

(b) if an intestate dies leaving no issue (i.e., children and the descendants of deceased children) but a spouse and a parent or parents, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to one-half of the estate and the parent or parents shall be entitled to the remaining one-half;

(c) if an intestate dies leaving issue but no spouse -and no parent or parents, the surviving issue (i.e., children and the descendants of deceased children) shall be entitled to the whole of the estate;

(d) if an intestate dies leaving no spouse and no issue (i.e., children and the descendants of deceased children) but a parent or parents, the surviving parent or parents shall be entitled to the whole of the estate;

(e) if an intestate dies leaving a spouse and issue (i.e., children and the descendants of deceased children) but no parent or parents, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to one-third of the estate and the issue (i.e., children and the descendants of deceased children) the remaining two-thirds;

(f) if an intestate dies leaving no spouse but issue (i.e., children and the descendants of deceased children) and a parent or parents, the surviving issue (i.e., children and the descendants of deceased children) shall be entitled to two-thirds of the estate and the parent or parents the remaining one-third;

(g) if an intestate dies leaving a spouse, issue and parent or parents, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to one-quarter of the estate, the issue shall be entitled to one-half of the estate and the parent or parents the remaining one-quarter.