What Happens if I die without a Will?

Author:
Date:

When a person dies, he dies either with a Will (testate) or without a Will (intestate).  A Will generally provides for the disposition of one's assets and also nominates a Personal Representative (PR) of one's estate.  The absence of a Will means the State has made a Will for you.  This does not mean the State gets a person's assets; rather, it means the State, by statute, sets forth who gets what and in what proportions (such as a surviving spouse or children).  It also means the State, by statute, has provided which person will have priority to be the estate PR.

Print this Page