What set of laws outlines the process for passing an estate to heirs when the owner dies intestate?

The laws that outline the process for passing an estate to heirs when the owner dies intestate are known as the laws of descent and distribution. These laws specifically govern how property is distributed when someone has passed away without a will, providing a clear framework for determining which relatives are entitled to inherit the deceased's assets.

This system ensures that the estate is divided in an organized manner according to established priorities, typically favoring immediate family members such as spouses, children, and parents before considering more distant relatives. The aim is to create a fair and equitable process in the absence of a expressed wish from the deceased about how their estate should be handled.

In contrast, laws of inheritance generally pertain to the broader concept of transferring property rights and can include various forms of ownership transfer, including those via wills and estates. Succession laws also refer to how assets pass following someone’s death but may encompass a wider range of topics, including intestate succession as well as testate succession (when a will is present). Probate laws focus specifically on the legal process through which a will is validated or an estate is administered, rather than directly outlining how intestate estates are distributed.