when an individual who has a valid will dies their assets will be divided among the beneficiaries listed in that will as well as through any trusts that they might have established 
however many people die without preparing a will in fact a 2024 caring com survey showed that only 32 of americans had a will the percentage does rise among older people caring found but even at ages 55 and up only 43 of americans reported having one 1if a person dies without a will they are said to have died intestate dying in intestacy means that a state probate court will have to determine how their assets are to be distributed it is crucial for most people to make a will often with the assistance of an attorney to ensure that their assets will go to the people or organizations that they want them to go to otherwise a court may decide to distribute the estate to people whom the deceased person never would have chosen it is also important for people to make sure their will is kept up to date in case their wishes change 