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Heirs

LC control no.sh2009003474
Topical headingHeirs
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Variant(s)Heritors
Inheritors
See alsoBeneficiaries
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Found inLaw.com law dictionary, Apr. 6, 2009 (heir: one who acquires property upon the death of another, based on the rules of descent and distribution, namely, being the child, descendant or other closest relative of the dear departed. It also has come to mean anyone who "takes" (receives something) by the terms of the will. An heir cannot be determined until the moment of death of the person leaving the property, since a supposed beneficiary (heir apparent) might die first.)
Duhaime's law dictionary, via WWW, Apr. 6, 2009 (Heir. A beneficiary of a will or an intestacy. Initially, at common law, a heir referred to a person who took real property of a deceased as a result of an intestate estate. But the term has evolved to refer generically to any person who inherits from an estate, whether it be real property or chattels, intestate or pursuant to a will)
Dictionary.com, Apr. 6, 2009 (heir: 1. a person who inherits or has a right of inheritance in the property of another following the latter's death. 2. Law. a. (in common law) a person who inherits all the property of a deceased person, as by descent, relationship, will, or legal process. b. Civil Law. a person who legally succeeds to the place of a deceased person and assumes the rights and obligations of the deceased, as the liabilities for debts or the possessory rights to property)
The American heritage dictionary of the English language, via WWW, Apr. 6, 2009 (heir: 1. A person who inherits or is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another. 2. A person who succeeds or is in line to succeed to a hereditary rank, title, or office. 3. One who receives or is expected to receive a heritage, as of ideas, from a predecessor)
TheFreeDictionary.com, Apr. 6, 2009: thesaurus (heir - heritor, inheritor)
Wikipedia, Apr. 6, 2009 (Beneficiary: A beneficiary in the broadest sense is a natural person or other legal entity who receives money or other benefits from a benefactor. The term can also be described as an "inheritance" used in the context for the party (heir or heiress) receiving the property related thereto.)