Heir

Heier, sax. One who, on the death of another, succeeds to his estate by descent, i. e. by right of blood and operation of law. Heir apparent: an heir whose right of inheritance is indefeasible, provided he outlives the ancestor. Heir presumptive: the person who would inherit if the ancestor should die immediately, but whose right may be defeated by the birth of a nearer heir. Heir at law or heir general: one who, after his ancestor's death, has a right to all his lands, tenements and hereditaments. Heir by devise: one to whom lands are devised.

In English law

Heir special: the issue in tail, who claims by the forn^ of the gift Heir by custom: one whose right of inheritance depends on a particular and local custom. In Scots law. The person who succeeds to the heritage, or heritable rights of a deceased person. Heir at law: one to whom the law gives the inheritance, on account of his proximity of blood. Heir general: an heir who generally represents the deceased, and succeeds to everything not specially provided to other heirs. Heir institute: one to whom the right of succession is ascertained by disposition, or express deed of the deceased. Heir male: an heir institute, who, though not next in blood to the deceased, is his nearest male relation that can succeed to him, Heir of conquest: one who succeeds to the deceased in conquest, i. e. lands or other heritable rights to which the deceased neither did nor could succeed as heir to his predecessor. Heir of line: one who succeeds lineally by right of blood. Heir of provision: one who succeeds as heir, by virtue of a particular provision in a deed or instrument Heir of tailzie: he on whom an estate is settled, that would not have fallen to him by legal succession. Heir substitute, in a bond: he to whom a bond is payable expressly in case of the creditor's decease, or after his death.