The Rights of Heirs At Law
The Rights of Heirs At Law Parklin Law The rights of heirs at law are important when settling an estate. Heirs are those who inherit property and other assets from a deceased person, usually a parent or grandparent. These heirs have legal rights to the property, which can differ from state to state. If an heir dies without a will, he or she is referred to as intestate. An intestate heir may have a right to contest the will and challenge the terms of the will. The heirs at law hierarchy begins with the heir apparent, the individual who receives the first right of inheritance. Next in line are the children of the heir apparent, followed by the grandchildren. Each right of inheritance is based on the relationship of the heir to the decedent. In some cases, there are collateral heirs, such as siblings and cousins. Collateral heirs are not direct descendants of the heir, but they are still family members. Generally, the first two heirs at law are the heir apparent and the ...