Intestacy

Intestacy refers to the condition of an estate of a person who dies without a valid Will. Without a legal document specifying how their property should be distributed after death, a Probate court appoints an administrator to manage the estate and oversee property distribution. The distribution follows state laws, commonly called intestacy laws or laws of intestate succession.

A common example of inheritance precedence is:

1. Spouse
2. Children
3. Parents
4. Siblings
5. More distant relatives