Intestacy
is the process of court intervention to determine how
an estate is to be distributed when a person dies without
a will, trust or other estate planning document.
Intestacy
laws in every state contain rules on how your estate will
be distributed if you do not have a valid expression of
intent prior to your death. The
priorities established may not reflect your intent on
how you want your estate handled. In fact, intestacy laws
can in some cases provide for the distribution of your
estate to persons who you specifically would not want
to see gain anything at your death.
For
this reason, it is crucial for all individuals, married
or single, to effectuate a will, revocable trust, or other
estate planning mechanism reflecting their intent concerning
the handling of their estate.
