If a person dies without leaving a valid will he or she is said to have died "intestate". This may occur because the deceased never made a will, or because the will was revoked and another was not made, or because the will is invalid. Approximately two out of every three people who die in England and Wales each year die Intestate (without a valid will).

The Act which deals with the laws of intestacy is in place to decide where your estate passes, who deals with it and what rules they have to follow. Unfortunately, because most of the rules and regulations were formed in 1925 they are considered out-dated and usually do not reflect the full wishes of most people.

If you are at all unsure on the rules of Intestacy and require clarification click on the relevant option below.