Final answer:
Intestate succession is the process of determining the correct succession of inheritance when a person dies without a valid will. Each state has its own laws regarding the distribution of assets in this situation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of law by which the state lays out the correct succession of inheritance when a person dies without leaving a valid will is called intestate succession.
When a person dies without a will, their assets will be distributed according to the state's intestacy laws. Every state has its own set of laws that dictate who receives the assets and in what hierarchical order, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings.
For example, if a person dies without a will and has a surviving spouse and children, the assets may be divided between them. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the assets may pass to the parents, siblings, or other relatives.