[ adj ] having made no legally valid will before death or not disposed of by a legal will <adj.all> he died intestateintestate property
Intestate \In*tes"tate\, n. (Law) A person who dies without making a valid will. --Blackstone.
Intestate \In*tes"tate\, a. [L. intestatus; pref. in- not + testatus, p. p. of testari to make a will: cf. F. intestat. See {Testament}.] 1. Without having made a valid will; without a will; as, to die intestate. --Blackstone.
Airy succeeders of intestate joys. --Shak.
2. Not devised or bequeathed; not disposed of by will; as, an intestate estate.
PROPOSED changes to the intestacy laws announced by the lord chancellor, Lord Mackay, should be a powerful incentive to avoid dying without a will, or intestate.
A person who dies "intestate," without a will, can leave many problems for loved ones and greatly reduce the chances that undocumented intentions will be carried out.