Legal Definitions - obiit sine prole

Obiit sine prole is a Latin legal phrase that translates to "he died without issue." It is often abbreviated as o.si.ip. This term is used to indicate that an individual passed away without leaving any direct descendants, such as children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. It is particularly relevant in matters of inheritance, wills, and genealogical records, as the absence of direct heirs can significantly impact the distribution of an estate or the continuation of a family line.

• Example 1: Estate Planning in a Will

  A wealthy individual, Mr. Henderson, creates a will stating that his estate should primarily go to his nephew, Arthur. However, the will includes a specific clause: "Should Arthur obiit sine prole, then the estate shall pass to the Henderson Family Charitable Trust."

  This clause legally specifies an alternative plan for Mr. Henderson's assets if Arthur dies without having any children or other direct descendants. If Arthur were to pass away without issue, the estate would then be directed to the charitable trust as per the will's instructions, rather than passing to Arthur's spouse or other relatives.

• Example 2: Historical Land Deeds and Genealogy

  A historical land deed from the 18th century describes a property passing through several generations of the Davies family. One entry notes, "John Davies (b. 1750, d. 1805) obiit sine prole."

  This notation in the deed indicates that John Davies died in 1805 without any direct children or other descendants. This information would be crucial for understanding how the property's ownership subsequently transferred, likely to a sibling, cousin, or another designated heir, rather than down a direct lineage from John.

• Example 3: Trust Agreements and Contingencies

  A family establishes a trust fund for the education of future generations. The trust agreement stipulates that funds will be held for the benefit of direct descendants of the founder. It also includes a provision that if a specific branch of the family, say the descendants of Sarah Miller, were to "obiit sine prole," the remaining funds allocated to that branch would revert to the main trust for redistribution among other family lines.

  Here, "obiit sine prole" defines a specific condition under which funds within the trust would be reallocated. If Sarah Miller's direct lineage were to end (i.e., she and all her children, grandchildren, etc., passed away), the trust would then follow the contingency plan, ensuring the funds continue to serve the broader family's educational goals rather than being left without a designated beneficiary within that specific branch.