In the absence of a living lineal descendant, where does Hank’s estate go according to Florida intestacy laws?

According to Florida intestacy laws, if an individual dies without a will and has no living lineal descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.), the estate's distribution typically prioritizes the decedent's spouse. In the absence of any descendants, the spouse is entitled to inherit the entire estate. This reflects the legal principle of providing for the surviving spouse first in the hierarchy of heirs under intestate succession.

In this situation, since Hank has no living lineal descendants, his entire estate would pass to his spouse, ensuring that the partner retains rights to the assets and property acquired during the marriage. It is important to note that if Hank were survived by any children or descendants, the division of the estate would follow different rules.

The other options do not align with this provision of the law. The state would only inherit if there were no eligible heirs whatsoever. Siblings would inherit in the absence of a spouse or descendants, but since Hank has a spouse, they would not inherit anything. Distant relatives would also only inherit if there were no immediate family members, such as a spouse or siblings, available to receive the estate. Hence, the correct answer highlights the primary legal right of a surviving spouse in the context of intestate succession in Florida.