intestacy
Noun: The legal status or condition that arises when a person dies without having left a valid will. This situation means there is no legal document to direct how the deceased person's property and assets should be distributed, so state laws (called laws of intestate succession) determine the heirs and the division of the estate.
The term is used in legal contexts to describe the circumstance of a death without a valid will. It is an uncountable noun, typically used with verbs like "result in," "lead to," or "die in." * The primary concern for many is avoiding intestacy to ensure their wishes are followed. * His failure to update the document after his divorce resulted in intestacy. * The complex rules of distribution only come into effect upon intestacy.
- The lawyer explained that intestacy often leads to lengthy and costly court proceedings for the family.
- Dying in intestacy meant his estate was divided according to state statute, not his personal relationships.
- A common misconception is that without a will, the state claims everything; however, intestacy laws usually direct the estate to the closest relatives.
- Testacy and Intestacy: These are often discussed as contrasting legal states. "Testacy" refers to dying with a valid will, while "intestacy" refers to dying without one.
- The seminar covered the key differences between testacy and intestacy.
- Partial Intestacy: A situation where a person leaves a will that disposes of only part of their estate. The remaining portion that is not covered by the will is distributed according to intestacy laws.
- The outdated will led to a case of partial intestacy regarding his newly acquired investments.
- Intestate (Adjective): Describing a person who has died without a valid will, or the legal situation resulting from such a death.
- He died intestate, so the court appointed an administrator.
- The intestate succession laws vary from one jurisdiction to another.
- Intestate (Noun): A person who has died without a valid will.
- The court must identify the heirs of the intestate.
- Dying without a will: The plain-language equivalent.
- Non-testacy: A less common formal synonym contrasting with "testacy."
- Testacy: The condition of dying with a legally valid will.
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the situation of being or dying without a legally valid will
