When a person dies intestate and has no heirs, what happens to their property?

When an individual passes away intestate, meaning they have not left a valid will, the distribution of their property becomes subject to state law. If the deceased has no legal heirs – that is, no relatives or next of kin who qualify under the law – then their property is controlled by the doctrine of escheat. This legal principle asserts that when a person dies without heirs, their assets revert to the state.

This policy serves a dual purpose: it prevents property from becoming ownerless and allows the state to manage unclaimed assets. State laws dictate how to handle such situations, often designating that the property goes to the state treasury or can be utilized for public purposes. In contrast, the other options do not align with the legal framework governing the transfer of property in intestate succession when there are no heirs or recognized claimants.