1. the reversion of property to the state when there are no legal heirs or claimants
Usage: legal

1. to revert to the state by escheat
Usage: legal

Examples

• The abandoned property became subject to escheat after no heirs could be located.
• When the wealthy businessman died without a will or family, his estate faced escheat.
• State laws govern how long unclaimed bank accounts must wait before they escheat.
• The attorney explained that the land would escheat to the government if no rightful owner emerged.
• Escheat laws vary by jurisdiction but generally require extensive efforts to find heirs.
• The property will escheat to the state treasury if no one claims it within five years.