Legal Definitions - coheir

A coheir is one of two or more individuals who are legally entitled to inherit property, assets, or a portion of an estate from a deceased person. When a person dies, their estate (everything they own) is passed on to their heirs. If there is more than one person designated to receive a share of that inheritance, each of those individuals is considered a coheir. They typically share the inheritance according to the terms of a will or the laws of intestacy (when there is no will).

• Example 1: Siblings inheriting a family home

  Mr. and Mrs. Thompson pass away without a will, leaving behind their two adult children, Lisa and Mark. Their primary asset is their family home. Under the laws of intestacy (which apply when someone dies without a will), Lisa and Mark would typically inherit the family home equally.

  Explanation: In this scenario, Lisa and Mark are both coheirs to the family home. They each have a shared legal right to the inherited property, receiving it jointly as part of their parents' estate.

• Example 2: Multiple beneficiaries named in a will for specific assets

  Ms. Davies's will specifies that her valuable collection of rare books should be divided equally among her three grandchildren: Chloe, Ethan, and Sophia.

  Explanation: Chloe, Ethan, and Sophia are all coheirs to the antique book collection. Ms. Davies's will explicitly names them as joint beneficiaries for this specific inheritance, granting each of them an equal share.

• Example 3: Joint inheritance of financial accounts

  Upon Mr. Kim's death, his investment account, valued at $750,000, is to be distributed according to his will. The will states that the account should be split evenly between his sister, Julia, and his alma mater, "State University."

  Explanation: Here, Julia and "State University" are coheirs to Mr. Kim's investment account. They each have a legal claim to half of the account, inheriting it jointly as specified by the will.