Who inherits property by application of the laws of intestacy?

• A. Beneficiary
• B. Heirs
• C. Heirs, next of kin, or distributees
• D. Descendants

Answer: (C)

When there is no valid will, property passes to those entitled under intestacy laws. The people who inherit are described as heirs, next of kin, or distributees. This terminology covers all potential recipients under the intestacy framework—spouses, children, parents, siblings, and other relatives—depending on the jurisdiction. The emphasis is on who the statute recognizes as rightful successors when there is no will to name beneficiaries.

Beneficiary is typically used for someone named in a will or trust, so it doesn’t fit intestacy. Descendants refer only to lineal offspring and exclude other eligible relatives who might inherit under intestacy, such as a surviving spouse or certain collateral relatives. Hence, the broad labels heirs, next of kin, or distributees best capture who inherits under the laws of intestacy.