Warning
Info
Warning
Info
LSDefine
Simple English definitions for legal terms
known heir
Read a random definition: rule day
A quick definition of known heir:
A known heir is someone who is entitled to receive property from a person who has died without leaving a will. They are usually a close relative, like a child or a sibling. Sometimes people use the term "heir" to refer to anyone who inherits property, whether there was a will or not. However, technically, an heir is only someone who inherits property through the laws of intestacy.A more thorough explanation:
A known heir is a person who is entitled to receive the property of a deceased person according to the laws of intestacy. This means that if the deceased person did not leave a will, the known heir is the person who will inherit the property. The known heir is also referred to as a legal heir, heir at law, lawful heir, heir general, or legitimate heir.
For example, if a person dies without a will and has a spouse and children, the spouse and children are known heirs who will inherit the property according to the laws of intestacy.