What happens to the property of individuals who die simultaneously according to estate law?

When individuals die simultaneously, estate law typically operates under the principle known as the "simultaneous death rule," which is reflected in option B: property transfers as if each individual survived the other. This principle is crucial for determining how assets are distributed when there is uncertainty about the order of death.

Essentially, this rule prevents complications that might arise if it were assumed that one party outlived the other without clear evidence. Instead, the law treats each deceased individual as having survived the other, streamlining the distribution of their assets. This ensures that inheritance rights are respected and prevents the property from being caught in legal limbo due to the simultaneous nature of the deaths.

The other options do not reflect the common legal principles guiding simultaneous deaths. For instance, evenly dividing the property among all beneficiaries or automatically transferring everything to the state could lead to unfair outcomes or unintended consequences, particularly if one party significantly contributed to the estate. The notion that each will is executed in the order determined by probate would not be applicable when there is no clear sequence of death due to the simultaneous nature of the situation. Thus, the approach taken is to regard each individual as having survived the other for the purposes of asset distribution.