Legal Definitions - intestato

INTESTATO

Intestato (in-tes-tay-toh) is a Latin term used in Roman law to describe a succession that occurs without a will.

When someone dies without leaving a will, their estate is considered intestato. This means that their assets will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy, which vary depending on the jurisdiction.

For example, if a person dies intestate in the United States, their assets will be distributed to their closest living relatives, such as their spouse, children, parents, or siblings. If there are no living relatives, the assets may go to the state.

The term intestato is used to describe a situation where someone dies without leaving a will. This means that their assets will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy, which are designed to ensure that the deceased person's property is passed on to their closest living relatives. The examples illustrate how the laws of intestacy work in the United States, where the deceased person's assets are distributed to their spouse, children, parents, or siblings if they die intestate.