If you die without a will (what the law refers to as “intestate”) state law will dictate how your property is split, and you will have no say in decisions concerning custody or guardianship of minor children or incapacitated dependents. Even putting aside the fact that most people wish to direct who will receive their assets, the costs and liability risks are exponentially higher if you die without a will, often leaving the beneficiaries of your estate at risk of creditors, and can cause lasting disagreements among family members.