Inheritance

For other uses, see property received when someone dies.

Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, and duties when someone dies. Those things usually go to family members. People have had laws about inheritance for thousands of years. Often the question is settled in a will.

If only sons and other male family members get the inheritance, it is called patrilineal succession. If only daughters and other female family members get the inheritance, it is called matrilineal succession.

Cultural inheritance is called legacy. Genetic inheritance is called heredity. A kingdom may be inherited; the person expected to inherit is then called the heir apparent.

The person who gets the property and other things when someone dies is called the heir (male) or heiress (female).