Escheat

In American law

Thereverting of land to the state, on the death of the owner without lawful heirs.* 4 Kent's Com. 423, 424. See Forfeiture. See U, S, Dig, db Supplement, Escheat. To ESCHEAT. [L. Fr. eschier; L. Lat. cadere, ezcidere, accidere] to fall or happen.] To fall back, (Lat. relabi;) to revert, return or become forfeited to the lord, the crown, or the state; as lands do in certain cases.* See Escheat. " When, by accident, lands fall to the lord of whom they are holden, — we say the fee is escheated.*^ Co. Litt. 13 a. It 16 a general principle in American law that when the title to land fails from defect of heirs or devisees, it necessarily reverts or escheats to the people, as forming part of the common stock to which the whole community is entitled.

4 Kent's Com. 424.