Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Hereditas is a Latin word that means inheritance. In Roman law, it referred to the right to inherit everything from a deceased person, whether they had a will or not. If the inheritance had more debts than assets, it was called a burdensome inheritance. Before someone officially became the heir, the property was called hereditas jacens. If there was no heir or legatee to take the estate, it was called an escheated estate. A succession or inheritance that devolved by operation of law rather than by will was called hereditas legitima. A sad or mournful inheritance that disturbs the natural order of mortality was called hereditas luctuosa. If the inheritance descended through the father, it was called hereditas paterna. If the inheritance was under a decedent's will, it was called hereditas testamentaria.
HEREDITAS
Hereditas is a Latin term that has several meanings:
Examples:
These examples illustrate the different types of inheritances that can occur, such as a burdensome inheritance with more debts than assets, or a sad inheritance that goes against the natural order of mortality. Hereditas paterna refers to a succession that descends through the father, while hereditas testamentaria refers to a succession under a decedent's will.