What is the status of someone who dies without a will?

The status of someone who dies without a will is referred to as intestate. When an individual passes away intestate, it means that they have not left any legal document to dictate how their assets and estate should be distributed after their death. In such cases, state laws will determine the distribution of the deceased's property, which usually prioritizes family members based on established legal guidelines.

Understanding the term "intestate" is crucial because it highlights the importance of having a will to ensure that one's wishes regarding the distribution of assets are honored. In contrast, an individual who dies testate has a valid will in place. The term decedent refers to the deceased person in general and does not specifically indicate whether they had a will or not. An executor is the person designated in a will to manage the deceased's estate; this role is unnecessary in intestate cases, as the court typically appoints an administrator to handle the estate.