(a)        All the estate of a person dying intestate shall descend and be distributed, subject to the payment of costs of administration and other lawful claims against the estate, and subject to the payment of State inheritance or estate taxes, as provided in this Chapter.

(b)        The determination of whether an heir has predeceased a person dying intestate shall be made as provided by Article 24 of Chapter 28A of the N.C. Gen. Stat.. (1959, c. 879, s. 1; 1999-337, s. 5; 2007-132, s. 2.)