In real estate law, Escheat is the process by which property reverts to the state when an individual dies without a will and without legal heirs. In such cases, there is no person legally entitled to inherit the property, so ownership transfers to the government by operation of law.
Escheat ensures that property is not left without a lawful owner and allows the state to assume title when private ownership cannot be determined. Before escheat occurs, the state typically makes efforts to locate heirs or beneficiaries, and the process is governed by state statutes.
