If a person dies without a will, what is the term used to describe their situation?

When a person dies without a will, the legal term used to describe their situation is "died intestate." This means that the deceased has not made provisions for the distribution of their estate, leading to the state laws governing intestacy coming into effect. In such cases, the estate will be distributed according to the laws of inheritance in the jurisdiction where the person resided, typically prioritizing relatives according to a specified order.

The other terms do not apply in this context. "Died testate" refers to a situation where an individual has left a valid will. "Died in probate" describes the process that occurs when a will is validated by the court but does not indicate whether a will exists. "Died with a legacy" implies that there are specific bequests or gifts left to beneficiaries in a will, which is not applicable when a person dies intestate. Thus, the definition aligns accurately with the legal implications of a person passing away without a will.