intestacy

Intestacy refers to the situation where a person dies without having made a valid will. In such cases, the deceased's assets are distributed according to the laws of intestacy in their jurisdiction, which typically prioritize family members in a specific order. This means spouses, children, parents, and siblings might inherit depending on the relationship and local laws. Intestacy can lead to unintended distributions that might not reflect the deceased's wishes, potentially causing disputes among surviving relatives. To avoid intestacy, it is advisable for individuals to create a clear and legally recognized will.