Pronunciation: /ɪˈʃiːt/

Definitions of escheat

noun the reversion of property to the state in the absence of legal heirs or claimants

Example Sentences

A1 Escheat is the legal process by which unclaimed property is turned over to the state.

A2 In some countries, escheat laws dictate how long a property must be unclaimed before it is considered abandoned.

B1 The concept of escheat dates back to medieval England, where it was used to prevent land from being left ownerless.

B2 Escheat can occur when a person dies without a will and no heirs can be found to inherit their property.

C1 Escheat laws vary from state to state in the United States, with each state having its own rules and regulations.

C2 The process of escheat can be complex and involves legal steps to determine rightful ownership of the property.

verb to revert to the state in the absence of legal heirs or claimants

Example Sentences

A1 When someone passes away without a will, their property may escheat to the state.

A2 In some cases, unclaimed funds escheat to the government.

B1 The court ruled that the abandoned property would escheat to the county.

B2 After years of neglect, the historic building escheated to the city and was restored.

C1 The estate attorney advised the client on how to prevent the property from escheating to the state.

C2 The legal team worked tirelessly to prevent the valuable assets from escheating to the government.

Examples of escheat in a Sentence

formal Escheat is the process by which unclaimed property reverts to the state.

informal If you don't claim your inheritance, it could escheat to the government.

slang I heard if you don't pick up your stuff, it'll escheat to the state.

figurative The abandoned house seemed to escheat back to nature, with vines growing over the walls and windows.

Grammatical Forms of escheat

past tense

escheated

plural

escheats

comparative

more escheat

superlative

most escheat

present tense

escheats

future tense

will escheat

perfect tense

has escheated

continuous tense

is escheating

singular

escheat

positive degree

escheat

infinitive

to escheat

gerund

escheating

participle

escheated

Origin and Evolution of escheat

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'escheat' originated from Old French 'escheoir' meaning 'to fall to'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in feudal law to refer to the reversion of property to the state in the absence of legal heirs, the term 'escheat' has evolved to also mean the process of property reverting to the government when the owner dies without a will or legal heirs.