Legal Definitions - parliamentary will

A parliamentary will refers to the legislation that governs the distribution of an intestate's property. This term is slang and arose because the legislature effectively makes an intestate's will by passing statutes regulating descent and distribution. The terms of the parliamentary will are gathered from the statutes in effect when the intestate died.

For example, if someone dies without a will, the laws of the state where they lived will determine how their property is distributed. These laws are the parliamentary will in action.