What is meant by "intestate succession"?

Intestate succession refers to the legal process by which a deceased person's assets are distributed when they have not left a valid will. When someone dies intestate, state laws dictate how their property and assets will be transferred to heirs, often prioritizing close relatives such as spouses, children, and parents. This framework ensures that the deceased's assets are allocated according to established legal guidelines rather than through the deceased's personal wishes, which would typically be expressed in a will.

In contrast to the correct answer, the other options represent different legal concepts. Challenging the validity of a will involves legal disputes regarding whether a will is authentic or legally sound, which is not applicable when an individual dies without a will. The process of creating a will pertains to the drafting and execution of a testamentary document that outlines how a person's estate should be managed after their death. Lastly, asset distribution according to a living trust involves a separate legal arrangement that allows for the management and transfer of assets during a person's lifetime and after death, rather than intestate succession.