heir at law
noun
a person who inherits, or has a right of inheritance in, the real property of one who has died without leaving a valid will.
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heir at law
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heir-at-law
heir-at-lawnounproperty law the person entitled to succeed to the real property of a person who dies intestate
heir at law
Americannoun
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heirs at law
plural
heir-at-law
British
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of heir at law
First recorded in 1720–30
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
As he enjoyed an almost uninterrupted state of health, he was the less mindful of his dissolution, and died intestate; by which means his whole fortune devolved to a nearer relation, the heir at law.
From The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 04 The Adventurer; The Idler by Samuel Johnson
I can only say, sir, that I have complete legal evidence that I am heir at law of Gregory, the younger brother of the late Sir Wycherly Wychecombe.
From The Two Admirals by James Fenimore Cooper
Besides, if we give battle to-day we fight the heir at law; but in three or four months we may have him on our side, and trustees appointed by you.
From A Terrible Temptation A Story of To-Day by Charles Reade
It is true he is not my heir at law.
From The Adventures of Hugh Trevor by Thomas Holcroft
At the decease of their masters they descend, like other estates of inheritance, to the heir at law, and sometimes to thoughtless and giddy youth, habituated from their earliest days to treat them like brutes.
From An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, Volume 2 by Alexander Hewatt
When Daniel O'Connell denounced Disraeli as "the heir-at-law of the blasphemous thief who died on the cross," he was abusing him, not for his home life, but as a public figure.
From The Book of This and That by Robert Lynd
He made no codicils and left no debts, so the King got all as heir-at-law.
From The Greville Memoirs A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IV, Vol. II by Henry Reeve
“Sir,” replied the little man, in a pompous manner, “you are speaking to Mr Rainscourt, the heir-at-law, of this entailed property.”
From The King's Own by Frederick Marryat
Against that claim Earl Lovel made his claim, as heir-at-law, alleging that there was no widow, and no legitimate child.
From Lady Anna by Anthony Trollope
Of course my uncle Henry succeeded as heir-at-law to the whole property, and thus were the expectations and hopes of Cecilia and of myself dashed to the ground.
From Jacob Faithful by Frederick Marryat
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