What occurs to property title when an individual dies without a will?

When an individual dies without a will, a legal process known as intestate succession comes into play. In this scenario, the property title does not automatically transfer to family members or get auctioned; instead, the property may escheat to the state if there are no legal heirs that can be identified.

Escheatment occurs when a deceased person's property passes to the state because there are no claimants or heirs to inherit the estate according to the laws of intestacy. The state assumes ownership of the property as a means of ensuring that unclaimed assets are managed and eventually returned to society. This process helps avoid any legal limbo regarding the ownership and ensures that the property is not left in a state of uncertainty.

The court system may be involved to oversee the distribution of the estate and to determine the rightful heirs if there are any, but escheat to the state specifically indicates a lack of identifiable beneficiaries. This distinguishes it from any automatic transfer to a court process.