When a person dies without a valid will, their estate is distributed according to the rules of intestate succession determined by the applicable jurisdiction. In such cases, a court appoints an administrator, not an executor, to manage and distribute the deceased’s assets. The administrator’s role is to identify and inventory the estate’s assets, pay outstanding debts and taxes, and distribute the remaining property to the deceased’s legal heirs as defined by law. This typically involves close relatives such as a spouse and children. The administrator has no discretionary power to distribute assets outside of the legally prescribed framework.
Understanding this process is critical. Clear legal guidelines for intestate succession exist to provide a structured and equitable distribution of assets when a will is absent. These laws aim to minimize potential disputes among family members and ensure fairness in line with societal expectations of inheritance. This system allows for the orderly transfer of property ownership and offers a clear pathway for settling the deceased’s affairs, even without explicit instructions. Historically, intestate succession laws have evolved to reflect changing familial structures and societal values.
