My dad died suddenly with no will. Am I morally obliged to share his estate with my estranged half-sibling?

‘Whatever you decide to do, it’s worth – as much as you can – trying not to let any possible tensions with your sister play out through money,’ writes Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Painting: Pandora’s Box by Charles Edward Perugini. Illustration: Wikimedia Commons

My dad died suddenly earlier this year, with no will, and I am unsure as to how I should distribute the estate. We are talking about very modest sums of money – about £5,000 (US$6,750, A$9,500) in total.

My dad was a very ethical person. While his death was unexpected, he had a sense it was coming. About six months before he died, he arranged for the disposal of many personal effects. The lack of a will, given his self-discipline and preferences for forward planning, is odd.