heirsdescendants
Heirs and descendants describe relationships used in inheritance law and genealogical contexts. Heirs are the persons who would receive a deceased person’s estate under intestate succession rules when there is no valid will. Descendants are lineal offspring of a person—for example children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—who share a common biological or adoptive line.
In many legal systems, the class of heirs in intestacy is defined by statute and often starts
Descendants are not automatically heirs in all circumstances, especially if there is a will. However, descendants
Wills and trusts can designate heirs, beneficiaries, or legatees by name, and may disinherit certain relatives.
Because rules differ, practitioners emphasize checking local statutes to determine who qualifies as an heir or