Intestacy

Intestacy refers to the state of dying without a will or other legally valid estate planning documents. When a person dies “intestate,” their estate is subject to the intestacy laws of the state they lived in. 

There are many drawbacks of intestacy, including: 

• The intestate person has no control over how their estate is distributed upon their death
• Unmarried partners may not be legally entitled to any of the decedent’s assets
• Minor children may fall under the care of a court-appointed guardian
• Disputes can arise among surviving family members regarding the distribution of the decedent’s assets