1. property that reverts to the state when an owner dies without heirs or when property is abandoned
Usage: legal

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

Examples

• The abandoned property became an escheat to the state.
• When the wealthy man died without relatives, his estate escheats to the government.
• The court ruled that the unclaimed funds would escheat after seven years.
• State laws determine how property escheats when no heirs can be found.
• The attorney explained that escheats help prevent property from remaining ownerless.
• Historical records show many escheats occurred during times of war and plague.