By this term is understood the division of an intestate’s estate according to law. 2. The English statute of 22 and 23 Car. II. c. 10, which was itself probably borrowed from the 118th Novel of Justinian, is the foundation of, perhaps, most acts of distribution in the several states. In practice. The apportionment and division, under authority of a court, of the remainder of the estate of an Intestate, after payment of the debts and charges, among those who are legally entitled to share in the same. Statute of distributions. A law prescribing the manner of the distribution of the estate of an intestate among his heirs or relatives. Such statutes exist in all the states.