Who inherits property under Florida's intestate succession law when a spouse dies leaving children who predeceased them?

In Florida's intestate succession law, when a spouse dies leaving children who have predeceased them, the grandchildren of the deceased become the rightful heirs. This scenario operates under the principle of representation, which allows the descendants of a deceased child (the grandchildren) to inherit their parent's share of the estate.

If the deceased had children who died before them, the law stipulates that those children’s offspring (the grandchildren) step into their parents' shoes and inherit their portion of the estate. This distribution ensures that the lineage continues to receive the benefits of the parent's estate, allowing the grandchildren to inherit directly from their grandparent.

The other options do not align with the intended process of heirship under intestate succession in Florida. The surviving spouse inherits in different scenarios, such as when there are no children involved, or if all children are living. Similarly, distribution among surviving siblings or to the state would only occur in more specific circumstances where there are no descendants or direct heirs to claim the estate.