Latin: In the civil law. From an intestate; from the intestate; in case of intestacy. Hwreditas ab intestato, an inheritance derived from an intestate. Inst. 2, 9, 6. Successio ab intestato, succession to an intestate, or in case of intestacy. Id. 3, 2, 3; Dig. 38, 6, 1. This answers to the descent or inheritance of real estate at common law. 2 Bl. Comm. 490, 516; Story, Confl. Laws,