Situations Raising Intestacy

The laws of intestacy may apply when an individual dies intestate for at least a portion ofhis/her assets.

This can happen in the following situations:

(1) There is no Will;

(2) The Will is incomplete (for instance, there is no residuary clause);

(3) A trust is incomplete regarding its final distribution;

(4) Residuary beneficiaries are predeceased;

(5) The joint owner is predeceased;

(6) A beneficiary designation of a life insurance policy or of a retirement plan is missing
or invalid; 

(7) Beneficiaries have waived their rights.