Inheritor

An inheritor is a person who receives property, money, or a title by lawful succession after the death, resignation, or removal of a predecessor. In common legal usage, those who receive property under a will are often called legatees or beneficiaries, while those who inherit under laws of intestacy are typically referred to as heirs. The term inheritor is a general designation for someone who gains assets or status through inheritance, and it can apply to multiple forms of succession, including real estate, valuables, or honorary titles.

The law surrounding inheritance varies by jurisdiction and is collectively known as inheritance or succession law. Typical processes include probate, estate administration, and the determination of eligible heirs or beneficiaries. Distinctions are commonly drawn between testate succession (under a will) and intestate succession (without a will), and between different classes of heirs or beneficiaries as defined by statute or contract.

In culture and media, the concept of an inheritor is frequently used to describe characters who gain powers, duties, or lineage through inheritance. The term has appeared as titles or narrative motifs across novels, films, and games, often exploring themes of duty, legitimacy, and identity. Because of its broad applicability, the word “inheritor” is less commonly used in everyday speech than terms like heir or beneficiary, but it remains a recognizable formal designation in legal and literary contexts.

See also: Heir, Heir apparent, Legatee, Beneficiary, Inheritance.