Escheating

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Escheat \Es*cheat"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Esheated}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Escheating}.] (Law)
     To revert, or become forfeited, to the lord, the crown, or
     the State, as lands by the failure of persons entitled to
     hold the same, or by forfeiture.
     [1913 Webster]


  
     Note: In this country it is the general rule that when the
           title to land fails by defect of heirs or devisees, it
           necessarily escheats to the State; but forfeiture of
           estate from crime is hardly known in this country, and
           corruption of blood is universally abolished. --Kent.
           Bouvier.
           [1913 Webster]