Intestacy occurs when someone dies without a will, leaving their estate to be distributed according to probate court ...

If you die without a will, your assets will be distributed according to the laws of your state, known as intestacy laws.

Probate Initiation: An interested party, often a family member or creditor, petitions the probate court to open an intestate estate. Appointment of Administrator: The court appoints an administrator ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Matthew F. Erskine is a trusts and estates attorney. A common misconception is that the absence of a will is a problem. In reality ...

The case of Zappos owner Tony Hsieh, the late billionaire who was initially believed to have died intestate, without a valid will, took an unexpected turn when an apparent original will surfaced years ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Marguerita is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor ...

Having an estate plan in place that addresses one's current family circumstances is imperative. The consequences could be dire if a client does not have a will in place or if his existing will does ...