intestate

adj.

1. Having made no legal will: an intestate parent.
2. Not disposed of by a legal will: intestate lands.

n.
One who dies without a legal will.

[Middle English, from Old French intestat, from Latin intestātus : in-, not; see in-¹ + testātus, testate, from past participle of testārī, to make a will. See testament.]

intestacy in·tes'ta·cy (-tə-sē) n.

The act of dying without a legal will. Determining the distribution of the deceased's assets then becomes the responsibility of a probate court.

Investopedia Says:
To have died "in intestacy" means a court-appointed executor will compile any assets of the deceased, pay any liabilities and distribute the assets to those parties deemed as beneficiaries.

To ensure that your friends and loved ones receive the contents of your estate upon your passing on, it is extremely important to make a will, or have a will made on your behalf by a lawyer qualified to do so.

Related Links:
Estate planning is not just about the division of assets after you die. Read on to save your loved ones extra grief. Three Documents You Shouldn't Do Without
Don't trust the courts to follow your wishes - plan the distribution of your own assets. Why You Should Draft A Will
Don't let bad estate planning lead to unnecessary costs and stress for your inheritors. Skipping-Out on Probate Costs
With some preparation, you can save your heirs from paying a hefty estate tax. Here are some tips. Getting Started On Your Estate Plan
Contrary to popular belief, inheriting assets isn't always a good thing. Find out what to do if you want to disclaim them. Refusing An Inheritance

1. (adj.) having made no valid will.

2. (noun) a person who dies leaving no will or leaving one that is defective. Property goes to the legal heirs of the intestate.

If a person dies intestate, his or her heirs under state law will inherit the property. If there are no heirs, the property will escheat (pass to the state).

1. (adj.) having made no valid will.

2. (noun) a person who dies leaving no will or leaving one that is defective. Property goes to the legal Heirs of the intestate.
Example: If Doris dies intestate, her heirs under state law will inherit her property. If she leaves no heirs her property will Escheat.

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

The description of a person who dies without making a valid will or the reference made to this condition.

Dansk (Danish)
adj. - som ikke er testamenteret
n. - død uden at efterlade testamente

Nederlands (Dutch)
zonder testament, overledene zonder testament

Français (French)
adj. - (Jur) intestat, qui décède intestat
n. - personne qui décède intestat, succession ab intestat

Deutsch (German)
adj. - Intestat-, nicht testamentarisch hinterlassen
n. - ohne Testament Verstorbener

Ελληνική (Greek)
adj., -
n. - (νομ.) αδιάθετος, που δεν άφησε διαθήκη

Italiano (Italian)
intestato, intestazione

Português (Portuguese)
adj. - intestado
n. - aquele que não fez testamento (m)

Русский (Russian)
лицо, умершее без завещания

Español (Spanish)
adj. - intestado
n. - intestado, persona fallecida sin testar

Svenska (Swedish)
adj. - otestamenterad
n. - person som avlidit utan att efterlämna testamente

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
无遗嘱的, 无遗嘱的死亡者

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 無遺囑的
n. - 無遺囑的死亡者

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 유언을 남기지 않은, 유언에 의하여 처분되지 않은
n. - 유언이 없는 사망자

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 遺言状を残さない

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(صفه) بلا وصيه, غير مورث بوصيه (الاسم) شخص يموت دون أن يكتب وصيه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮שלא כתב צוואה לפני מותו‬
n. - ‮אדם שמת בלי לכתוב צוואה‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.