Intestate describes the state of a person who dies without a valid will in place, thus failing to specify how their assets should be distributed. This leads to the distribution of the deceased's property being determined by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the person resided, typically following a pre-defined set of rules favoring spouses, children, and other close relatives. The process of settling an intestate estate can be more complex and time-consuming than one where a will exists, often involving probate court proceedings. Careful estate planning, including creating a will, helps ensure the individual’s wishes are honored.
Intestate meaning with examples
- Upon John's sudden passing, it was discovered he died intestate, leaving his entire estate to be divided according to state law. His children were left scrambling for legal advice about how to proceed through the courts and to determine their rights for inheritances. The lack of a will caused considerable stress and potential disputes among family members.
- The family faced a difficult situation because their grandmother passed intestate. The lack of a written will meant the estate settlement became a long and expensive process. They hired a probate lawyer to navigate the legal system and establish clear property ownership. The legal fees significantly reduced the amount of inheritance for all.
- Following the death of the musician who died intestate, his vast collection of guitars, music royalties and real estate holdings were to be dispersed following intestacy laws. His unmarried partner and his two children, were embroiled in a bitter court battle to determine their respective shares of their father's estate.
- The couple had procrastinated in drawing up wills, and tragically, they were killed in a car crash. Their family was left with the emotionally draining task of settling their intestate estate. They were unsure how to proceed without an indication of the couples wishes, and to which children and relatives the assets should go.
- Since Sarah died intestate, the state's laws dictated the division of her assets. Her family was left in a period of high anxiety as the process began in probate court. The inheritance was settled among her siblings and cousins. This demonstrated the importance of estate planning and the finality of these legal decisions.