intestate

1 of 2

adjective

in·​tes·​tate in-ˈte-ˌstāt 

-stət

1

: having made no valid will

died intestate

2

: not disposed of by will

an intestate estate

intestate

2 of 2

noun

: one who dies intestate

Did you know?

Intestate was borrowed into English in the 14th century from Latin intestatus, which was itself formed by combining the prefix in- ("not") and the adjective testatus, meaning "having left a valid will." Testatus, in turn, derives from the past participle of the verb testari, meaning "to make a will." Approximately a century later, English speakers returned to testatus to coin the word testate, which also means "having left a valid will." Other descendants of testari in English include detest, protest, and testament, as well as testator ("a person who dies leaving a will or testament in force"). The antonym of testator is the noun intestate, meaning "one who dies without a will."

Examples of intestate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

However, if a person dies and a will is not found within six months, the intestate succession laws decide which family members will inherit the estate. —Branded Content Contributor, Orange County Register, 19 Nov. 2019

The laws of intestate succession typically put any children first in line, followed by parents. —Liz Weston, latimes.com, 1 Apr. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin intestatus, from in- + testatus testate

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing intestate

• die intestate

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Kids Definition

intestate

adjective

in·​tes·​tate

in-ˈtes-ˌtāt,

-ˈtes-tət

1

: not having made a will

he died intestate

2

: not disposed of by will

intestate personal property

intestacy

-ˈtes-tə-sē

noun

Legal Definition

intestate

1 of 2 adjective

in·​tes·​tate in-ˈtes-ˌtāt 

1

: having not made a valid will

died intestate

2

: not disposed of by a valid will

intestate property

an intestate estate

specifically : transmitted according to statutory rules governing intestate succession

3

: of or relating to intestate succession

intestate laws

intestate

2 of 2 noun

: a person who dies intestate

Etymology

Adjective

Latin intestatus, from in- not + testatus testate