Intestacy

Intestacy is a legal term that refers to when a person dies without having made a valid Will, or one that is not legally acceptable.

In this situation, the deceased has died "intestate" and their Estate will be distributed to Heirs and Beneficiaries according to the laws of the state where they lived, rather than their own instructions.

The laws that govern this process are known as Intestate Succession.

Intestate succession laws vary by state, but in general they provide a prioritized framework for distributing the deceased person's assets to their Next of Kin or other heirs.

Typically prioritized are close Survived Family members, such as spouses, children, and parents.

In cases of intestacy, state or county Probate Court will appoint an Administrator to Settle the Estate and ensure the deceased's debts are paid before assets are distributed.

This is in contrast to when a person dies with a legally valid will, known as Testacy.