Related Definitions
What is an Heir?
An individual who is named in a will or through the laws of intestacy as entitled to receive a share of assets included in the estate in the event of the settlor’s death.
An individual legally entitled to inherit property or assets from a decedent’s estate, either through a will or by intestacy laws when no will exists. Heirs can be direct descendants, such as children and grandchildren, or more distant relatives, depending on the state’s succession laws. Understanding heirship is vital in probate matters, as it determines who is entitled to the decedent’s assets and how the estate will be administered and distributed.
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