Final answer:
The surviving spouse and close relatives are primarily considered heirs under intestate succession, a process that applies when a person dies without a will and their assets are distributed according to specific state laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary heirs of the deceased are the surviving spouse and close blood relatives (such as children, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and, in some cases, first and second cousins) under intestate succession. This process is applied when a person dies without a will, and the distribution of their assets is managed according to state laws. Each state has specific intestacy laws that create a hierarchy of beneficiaries. Probate is the judicial process through which a deceased person's assets are distributed according to a will or, if there is no will, intestate succession. However, it is distinct from the direct process of intestate succession. On the other hand, estate planning involves actively managing and planning the distribution of one's estate while still alive, and often includes creating a will or trust to avoid intestate succession.