If Matthew dies leaving no Will, he is said to have died:

When a person dies without a valid will, they are described as having died intestate. This legal term indicates that the individual has not made formal arrangements for the distribution of their estate, which means that the laws of succession will govern how assets are allocated among heirs.

In the case of intestacy, the estate typically passes according to state or provincial laws, which determine the hierarchy of beneficiaries, usually starting with immediate family members such as a spouse and children, and then extending to other relatives if there are no direct descendants. Understanding the implications of dying intestate is crucial, as it can lead to disputes among surviving relatives and may result in an outcome that the deceased may not have desired.