If a person dies without a will, it is called dying "intestate." In this situation, the deceased person's estate, including money, property, and possessions, is distributed according to the laws of intestate succession in the relevant jurisdiction rather than according to the deceased's wishes. Typically, the estate goes to the closest relatives in a specific order defined by law, such as spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, and more distant relatives. If no relatives can be found, the estate may eventually pass to the state or government. An application usually must be made to the court (such as for a grant of letters of administration) to appoint an administrator who will legally manage and distribute the estate. This process can be complex, potentially cause disputes, and might result in delays and additional costs. Without a will, the deceased has no control over who inherits, which may lead to someone inheriting who the deceased would not have chosen. In summary, dying without a will leads to a legally defined inheritance process that may not reflect personal wishes and can create complications for those left behind.