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Simple English definitions for legal terms
legitimate heir
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A quick definition of legitimate heir:
A legitimate heir is someone who is entitled to receive property from someone who has died without leaving a will. They can also inherit property through a will or by law. An heir can be a family member or someone who is in line to inherit a lot of money. There are different types of heirs, such as an heir apparent who is certain to inherit, and a pretermitted heir who has been left out of a will. It's important to know who the legitimate heir is when someone dies so that their property can be distributed correctly.A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A legitimate heir is a person who is entitled to receive the property of a deceased person according to the laws of intestacy. This can include real or personal property, and the heir may inherit through a will or by intestate succession. The term can also refer to a person who succeeds to the rights and estate of a decedent under civil law.
Example: John dies without a will, leaving behind his wife and two children. According to the laws of intestacy, his wife is entitled to a portion of his estate, and his children will split the remaining portion equally. In this case, John's wife and children are his legitimate heirs.
Explanation: This example illustrates how legitimate heirs are determined by the laws of intestacy when a person dies without a will. In this case, John's wife and children are his closest relatives and are therefore entitled to his property. If John had a will, he could have designated different heirs or specified how his property should be distributed.