What is the term for the forfeiture of a decedent's property to the state when there are no heirs?

The term "escheat" refers to the process by which a decedent's property is transferred to the state when there are no identifiable heirs or beneficiaries to inherit the property. This legal concept ensures that assets do not remain in limbo and allows the state to take ownership of the property, often with the intention of eventually allocating it for public use or to address community needs.

In the context of estate law, escheat serves a significant role in providing a clear resolution for unclaimed properties, as well as helping maintain organized legal processes surrounding inheritance and property rights. This process typically comes into play after a certain period during which attempts to locate heirs have proven unsuccessful.

Other terms, while related to estates, do not denote the forfeiture of property to the state. "Devise" refers to the act of leaving property in a will, "abatement" involves a reduction of bequests or legacies due to insufficient assets, and "intestate" describes a situation where a decedent dies without a valid will. Therefore, escheat is specifically focused on the state assuming ownership of property due to the absence of heirs.