Inheritance

A perpetuity in lands to a man and his heirs; the right to succeed to the estate of a person who dies intestate.

Dig. 50. 16. 24.

The term is applied to lands. The property which is inherited is called an inheritance. The term "inheritance" includes not only lands and tenements which have been acquired by descent, but every fee simple or fee tail which a person has acquired by purchase may be said to be an inheritance, because the purchaser's heirs may inherit it.

Co. Litt. § 9.

See "Estate." In Civil Law. The succession to all the rights of the deceased. It is of two kinds: That which arises by testament when the testator gives his succession to a particular person; and that which arises by operation of law, which is called "succession ab intestat."

Heinec. Lee. Elem. §§ 484, 485.