What is the legal process for transferring an estate to heirs when someone dies intestate?

The legal process for transferring an estate to heirs when someone dies intestate is governed by the laws of descent and distribution. These laws outline how the assets of the deceased are to be distributed among heirs when there is no will present. Every state has its own specific statutes that delineate the hierarchy of beneficiaries, typically prioritizing immediate family members such as spouses, children, and parents.

This set of laws ensures a fair distribution of the decedent's estate according to established legal guidelines, thereby alleviating potential disputes and uncertainties about asset allocation. The laws of descent and distribution serve as a crucial framework for intestate succession, ensuring that the wishes of the deceased are respected as closely as possible under the circumstances, even in the absence of a will. As such, it provides a systematic approach to handle the distribution of an estate, conforming to state regulations and promoting efficient legal resolution.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the specific process for intestate succession. Estate transfer laws and succession regulations can encompass broader aspects of estate management and execution that may include both testate (with a will) and intestate situations, while interstate laws typically refer to legal issues arising from matters between different states rather than the specific process of handling an intestate estate