1. people who die without having made a valid will
Usage: legal term; plural form

Examples

• The court appointed administrators to handle the estates of the intestates.
• When intestates die, their property is distributed according to state law.
• The lawyer specialized in cases involving intestates and their families.
• Intestates often leave their heirs with complicated legal proceedings.
• The probate court deals with both willed estates and intestates.
• Many intestates assume their spouse will automatically inherit everything.