Hereditary succession is the passing or division of an estate when a person dies without a will; also known as intestate succession.The estate of a person who has died intestate goes through probate court. The state’s intestacy laws will determine who will inherit the decedent’s assets. A person who receives such an estate is known as hereditary successor. In the United States, each state’s law provides that such property or estate be distributed to the closest surviving relative.
[Last updated in March of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]