Inheritance

Inheritance

Introduction to Inheritance

Inheritance, in law, succession to the real and personal property of a deceased individual. Inheritance may be by will or, in the absence of a will, by operation of the statutes governing intestacy. The transfer of property by testate and intestate succession is of remote origin.

The code promulgated by the Babylonian ruler Hammurabi in the 18th century bc made provision for both estate and intestate succession. In 6th century bc Greece, wills were made in Athens during the time of the lawgiver Solon. The ancient code of Roman law, called the Twelve Tables, contained provisions for the disposition of testate and intestate property (see Twelve Tables, Law of the). In England, the introduction of the feudal system resulted in the elimination of the right to dispose of real property by will, and this disability continued until the reign of King Henry VIII, under whom the enactment of the Statute of Wills partially restored the right to dispose of real property by will (see Heir). Subsequently this right was entirely restored. In the U.S., the statutes of most states provide for the inheritance of property by will and for the succession to property in cases of intestacy. Jurisdiction over decedents’ estates is vested in the probate courts. See Estate Tax.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Inheritance

The Legal History of Inheritance

This section provides an overview of Inheritance

Resources

See Also

  • Legal Biography
  • Legal Traditions
  • Historical Laws
  • History of Law

Further Reading

Spanish Translation of inheritance

This is the legal translation of English to Spanish in relation to inheritance and / or a definition of this topic: Herencia (in Spanish, without translation of the dictionary entry).

Inheritance in Constitutional Law

From the Comparative Constitutions Project: Inheritance refers to the right to receive property

Hierarchical Display of Inheritance

Law > Civil law > Ownership > Transfer of property

Inheritance

Concept of Inheritance

See the dictionary definition of Inheritance.

Characteristics of Inheritance

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Resources

Translation of Inheritance

Thesaurus of Inheritance

Law > Civil law > Ownership > Transfer of property > Inheritance

See also

  • Institutional framework
  • Gilbert Islands
  • Republic of Kiribati
  • Republic of Palau
  • ACP-EC Joint Committee
  • Succession
  • Testament
  • Will

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