A more thorough explanation:

ab intestato

Ab intestato is a Latin term that means "by intestacy." It refers to the laws that determine how property is distributed when someone dies without a valid will.

When John died without a will, his estate was distributed ab intestato according to the laws of his state.

Ab intestato succession laws vary by jurisdiction, but they generally prioritize spouses, children, and other close relatives over more distant relatives or unrelated individuals.

These examples illustrate how ab intestato refers to the legal process of distributing property when someone dies without a will. In the first example, John's estate was distributed according to the laws of his state because he did not have a will. In the second example, the mention of prioritizing certain relatives over others highlights how ab intestato laws determine who inherits property in the absence of a will.