What is meant by intestate succession?

Intestate succession refers specifically to the distribution of an individual's estate when they pass away without having a valid will in place. When a person dies intestate, the distribution of their assets is governed by state laws, which typically outline a hierarchy of beneficiaries, such as spouses, children, and other relatives. This process ensures that the deceased's assets are allocated according to established legal guidelines rather than personal wishes, which would have been articulated in a will.

Options concerning appointing an executor or defining the legal framework for creating a will pertain to the probate process or the requirements for wills, rather than to the situation of intestacy itself. Similarly, the mention of designated beneficiaries in a will does not apply since intestate succession comes into play specifically when there is no will. Thus, the correct answer captures the essence of how assets are handled in the absence of express testamentary direction from the deceased.