A person who inherits real property; to be distinguished from next of kin and from distributee An heir of the body is an heir in the direct line of the decedent A son, for example, is the heir of the body of his father or mother See also Collateral Heir ; Direct Heir ; Next of Kin
person who inherits something, as in: The heir chose to put the castle up for sale
An heir is someone who has the right to inherit a person's money, property, or title when that person dies. the heir to the throne. One who inherits or is entitled to succeed to the possession of property after the death of its owner. In most jurisdictions, statutes of descent determine transfer of title to property if no will names the recipient. One may be either heir apparent or heir presumptive during the lifetime of the property holder. An heir apparent's right to an inheritance cannot be voided or undone except by exclusion under a valid will. An heir presumptive's right to inherit may be defeated by the birth of a nearer relative. In Britain, the heir apparent of the monarch is the eldest son. If there are no sons, the eldest daughter is heiress presumptive. See also primogeniture