What is the legal status of an heir?

The legal status of an heir is defined by their right to inherit property from a deceased individual in the absence of specific instructions in a will. When someone passes away, their estate is typically divided among heirs, who are the individuals legally recognized as beneficiaries. This right to inherit is often determined by familial relationships and the laws governing intestate succession, which dictate how an estate is to be distributed when there is no valid will.

In this context, the role of an heir goes beyond mere property management or leasing; it fundamentally relates to the legal right they hold to receive property, assets, and debts from the estate of the deceased. This status is central to the concept of inheritance law, which establishes the parameters by which estates are settled and how rights to property transfer upon death, thereby reinforcing the importance of the heir's entitlement to the decedent's legacy.