Intestate
A person is intestate if he/she dies without a will or other legal device to govern the distribution of his/her property at death. If this occurs, states have intestacy statutes that mandate who the decedent's heirs will be and each heir's share of the decedent's property.
This brief overview of some important considerations associated with intestacy is by no means comprehensive. Always seek the advice of a competent professional when making important financial and legal decisions.