What is the term for a person who dies without a will?

The term used for a person who dies without a will is "intestate." When an individual passes away intestate, it means that they did not leave behind a legal document outlining how their assets should be distributed after their death. This situation typically results in the state having to determine how the deceased’s estate is divided according to its intestacy laws, which may not align with the deceased's wishes or intentions.

The other terms refer to different roles and situations in the realm of estate planning and probate. An executor is someone named in a will to administer the estate according to the deceased's wishes. A testator is the individual who creates a will, indicating their wishes regarding the distribution of their estate upon their death. An administrator, on the other hand, is appointed by the court to manage and distribute the estate of someone who died intestate. This distinction emphasizes the meaning of being intestate as specifically lacking a will.