Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A known heir is a person who is entitled to receive the property of a deceased person according to the laws of intestacy. This means that if the deceased person did not leave a will, the known heir is the person who will inherit the property. The known heir is also referred to as a legal heir, heir at law, lawful heir, heir general, or legitimate heir.
For example, if a person dies without a will and has a spouse and children, the spouse and children are known heirs who will inherit the property according to the laws of intestacy.