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Glite Dictionary
intestacy

intestacy

1 9.9
When a person dies without a will, the law gives their money and things to others
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈtɛstəsi/
  • Formal
: intestación
  • The law of intestacy is the default legal treatment of people who die without a will.
  • intestacy law

So that's one way that intestacy could carry out.

Examples

  • In cases of intestacy, the court decides how the deceased person's assets will be distributed among relatives.

  • In cases of intestacy, it entitled the women to use for life one-third of their husbands' self-acquired property.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Laws vary from state to state, but when someone dies without a will in South Carolina, intestacy law ascribes ownership to descendants as tenants in common.

    Academic text (2011)

  • If a person dies without a will, their estate will be settled according to the rules of intestacy.

  • Understanding intestacy is crucial for anyone who wants to ensure their wishes are followed after death.

Antonyms

testate
  • Formal
1 9.5

Someone who has made a legal will before they die

Surface Forms

intestacy singular
intestacies plural

Morphology

intestacy = intestate (semi-transparent) = in + testate + cy

Regular nominalization from the adjective 'intestate' using the productive suffix '-cy' to form a noun.

Etymology

The word intestacy comes from Latin parts in- meaning 'not' and testament meaning 'will'. So, intestacy literally means 'not having a will' and is used today when someone dies without a legal will, so their property is given out by law.