What does it mean to die intestate?

Dying intestate refers to the situation where an individual passes away without having a valid will in place. This means that they have not documented their wishes regarding the distribution of their assets or the handling of their affairs after death. In such cases, the laws of the state in which the person resided will dictate how their assets are divided among heirs or beneficiaries, often following a predetermined hierarchy established by intestacy laws. Understanding this concept is vital as it impacts estate planning and the potential challenges that may arise for surviving family members who may not agree on how the assets should be managed or distributed.