In the context of estates, what does the term "intestate" mean?

The term "intestate" refers to the situation where an individual passes away without having created a valid will. In such cases, the distribution of the deceased person's estate is determined by state intestacy laws. These laws dictate how the estate will be divided among surviving relatives, based on predefined relationships, rather than according to the deceased’s personal wishes. This framework is essential for understanding estate law, as it underscores the importance of having a valid will to ensure that one's assets are distributed according to their specific wishes, rather than relying on state statutes.