When there is no will in American Samoa
Who inherits under the state's intestacy law, and what that means for the people left to sort things out.
Last updated May 11, 2026. Sources are linked at the bottom of the page.
No will does not mean no plan
When someone dies without a valid will, the state's intestacy law decides who inherits. It is a fixed formula based on who survived them: spouse, children, parents, siblings, and so on. The court still appoints someone to settle the estate; they just follow the statute instead of a will. Assets with a named beneficiary, joint accounts, and trust property are not affected by any of this.
Who inherits in American Samoa
American Samoa law combines common-law principles with customary Samoan land tenure ('matai' system). Communal land cannot be conveyed by will or by intestate succession in the same way as alienable property, strict customary rules govern. Engage an attorney familiar with American Samoa customary law and inheritance.
| Governing statute | American Samoa Code Annotated |
|---|---|
| Read the statute | asbar.org/code |
Two things families get wrong
- Unmarried partners inherit nothing under intestacy. No matter how long the relationship, intestacy law in nearly every state recognizes only legal spouses and blood or adopted relatives. A partner's protection comes from beneficiary designations, joint ownership, or a will that was never written.
- Stepchildren usually are not heirs unless they were legally adopted. The statute above is the authority for your state.
The estate may still qualify as a small estate
Having no will does not rule out the simplified procedure. If the estate meets American Samoa's small-estate limits, the shortcut is usually available. See probate in American Samoa for the threshold.
Want this organized for your situation? The free walkthrough asks a few questions about who died, where, and your relationship to them, and builds a checklist for the first days and weeks in American Samoa.
More for American Samoa
- Death certificates
- Probate and small estates
- Cremation rules
- Estate taxes and life insurance
- All American Samoa topics
Primary sources
- American Samoa Code Annotated: asbar.org/code