Escheat refers to which of the following?

Escheat refers to which of the following?

• A. Transfer of property to heirs by will
• B. Forfeiture of decedent's property to the state in the absence of heirs
• C. Tax lien placed on property after death
• D. Property becomes ownerless and is auctioned to the public

Answer: (B)

Escheat is the process by which property reverts to the state when there is no heir to inherit the decedent’s estate. If someone dies intestate and no heirs can be found after reasonable search, title to their real property vests in the state. This ensures the property doesn’t remain ownerless and unclaimed. The other options describe different situations: transferring to heirs by will is a devise, not escheat; a tax lien is a separate lien issue; and while property can become ownerless and the state may eventually sell it, escheat specifically refers to the formal transfer of title to the state due to lack of heirs.

Escheat is the process by which property reverts to the state when there is no heir to inherit the decedent’s estate. If someone dies intestate and no heirs can be found after reasonable search, title to their real property vests in the state. This ensures the property doesn’t remain ownerless and unclaimed. The other options describe different situations: transferring to heirs by will is a devise, not escheat; a tax lien is a separate lien issue; and while property can become ownerless and the state may eventually sell it, escheat specifically refers to the formal transfer of title to the state due to lack of heirs.