What does it mean to die intestate?

Dying intestate refers to the situation in which an individual passes away without having created a legally valid will. When a person dies intestate, the distribution of their assets is determined by state laws rather than their personal wishes, which would normally be outlined in a will. Each state has specific intestacy laws that dictate how property and debts are handled among surviving family members and heirs. This can result in an outcome that may not align with what the deceased would have preferred, highlighting the significance of having a will in place to specify one’s wishes regarding the division of their estate.