heir at law

a person who inherits, or has a right of inheritance in, the real property of one who has died without leaving a valid will.

Origin of heir at law

First recorded in 1720–30

He succeeded to Newstead and the Lancashire estates, not as heir-at-law, but by deed of gift.

The Works of Lord Byron, Volume 6 |Lord Byron
Never had the tyranny of the omnipotent State been more completely realized than by the Jacobins, and their heir-at-law, Napoleon.

The Religious Persecution in France 1900-1906 |Jane Milliken Napier Brodhead
It would be fatal to the interests of Floyd if the will should be ignored and half the estate allowed him as heir-at-law.

The Incendiary |W. A. (William Augustine) Leahy
I have got a crazy uncle, a brother of uncle Richard, who is heir-at-law if a will is not forthcoming.

For Fortune and Glory |Lewis Hough

Gabriel Tittlebat Titmouse—to whom our friend Titmouse was shown to be heir-at-law.

Ten Thousand a-Year. Volume 3. |Samuel Warren

heir-at-law

property law the person entitled to succeed to the real property of a person who dies intestate