Legal Definitions - intestacy rules

Intestacy Rules are a set of guidelines that determine how the property of a person who dies without a will should be distributed. These rules are usually in the form of a sequence of if-then statements that tell a probate court which heirs should be given priority in claiming the deceased person's property.

For example, if a person dies without a will and is survived by a spouse and children, the intestacy rules may dictate that the spouse receives a certain percentage of the property and the children receive the rest.

One important legal case that has influenced intestacy rules is Trimble v. Gordon. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that intestacy laws cannot discriminate on the basis of gender and must be applied fairly and impartially.

Overall, intestacy rules are important because they provide a framework for distributing property when someone dies without a will. By following these rules, the court can ensure that the deceased person's property is distributed fairly and in accordance with the law.