What term describes the situation when a person dies without a will?

The term that describes the situation when a person dies without a will is "intestate." When an individual passes away intestate, it means that they have not left a legal document outlining how their assets should be distributed after their death. As a result, the state laws will determine the distribution of the deceased's assets, which typically follow a prescribed hierarchy of heirs. This process ensures that the estate is managed and distributed according to statutory guidelines, often favoring spouses, children, and other relatives.

Understanding this concept is important, especially for surveys involving property rights and estate management, as it can significantly impact how land and property are inherited. The other terms—escheat, reversion, and life estate—are related to property law but do not specifically describe the scenario of dying without a will. For example, escheat refers to the process where property reverts to the state when there are no lawful heirs. Reversion pertains to a future interest in property that returns to the grantor or their heirs after the expiration of a particular estate. A life estate is a property interest that lasts for the life of a specific individual. Each of these terms serves a distinct purpose within property law, but "intestate" specifically captures the absence of a