Intestate or dying without a will can be a complicated situation if the estate is large and there are numerous people seeking to claim the estate. In the United States each individual state is has set up their own laws regarding the distribution of intestate estates. However, the basic premise is to distribute the estate to family members who can be located and if no on is located the state can take control. Because the complications of dying intestate can be severe, it is important to have an estate plan or will in the event of sudden death. Some individuals think that because they don't have much to leave they don't need a will; however, if they pass away without any final wishes documents, everything, including personal mementos become intestate. This means those items are left in the hands of the state to distribute.