What Does “Testate” & “Intestate” Mean?
If an Arizona resident dies with a Will that complies with the requirements of Arizona probate law, the person is said to have died “testate,” which means he or she has a valid Will and the decedent’s probate assets pass to the people or entities named in the Will. An Arizona resident who dies without a valid Will dies “intestate” and the decedent’s probate assets pass as provided in Arizona’s laws of intestate succession found at A.R.S. 14-2101 et seq. When an Arizona resident dies without a valid Will, Arizona law will determine who gets the decedent’s probate assets, which may result in people inheriting property contrary to the decedent’s wishes.
