What happens when a title-holder dies without a valid will?

When a title-holder dies without a valid will, the situation is classified as involuntary alienation. Involuntary alienation refers to the transfer of property that occurs without the consent of the owner, generally due to legal mandates such as laws governing intestate succession. In cases where a person passes away intestate (without a will), state laws dictate how their estate and property are distributed. This process typically leads to assets being distributed among heirs according to established statutes, which may not necessarily reflect the deceased's wishes since there was no will created.

While testate succession involves the distribution of property as specified in a valid will, in instances of dying without a will, the court is involved in administering the estate, ensuring it is appropriately divided among legal heirs. This judicial oversight is a hallmark of probate, which is the process of validating a will and managing estate distributions, but since there is no valid will in this scenario, it falls primarily under the category of involuntary alienation.