Which of the following is a characteristic of intestacy laws?

Intestacy laws provide a framework for distributing a deceased person's assets when there is no valid will in place. One of the key characteristics of these laws is the establishment of a hierarchy for distributing property. This hierarchy typically prioritizes certain relatives—such as spouses, children, and other close relatives—over distant relatives or non-relatives. By creating this order of priority, intestacy laws ensure that the deceased person's estate is allocated in a way that reflects a common intention about how assets should be divided among surviving family members.

Understanding this hierarchy is crucial, as it guides the distribution process and ensures that the deceased's closest relatives are taken care of first. Without these laws, estates could be subject to arbitrary distribution, potentially leading to disputes among potential heirs.

The other choices describe characteristics that do not accurately represent intestacy laws. Intestacy laws do not allow for complete freedom of distribution, as they follow set legal rules rather than the wishes of the deceased. They also do not apply only to property held in a will, since they govern the distribution of all property not covered by a will. Lastly, intestacy laws do not eliminate claims by creditors; rather, creditors must be paid from the estate before any distributions can be made to heirs.