term:

Intestacy

intestacy n

pl: -cies
1 : the state of dying intestate
: an intestate state or condition [the invalidation of the will resulted in her ]
2 : intestate succession at succession [wills should be construed to avoid whenever possible "Smith v. Estate of Peters, 741 P.2d 1172 (1987)"] [ the remaining property passed by to the heirs]

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.