what is an heir 
an heir is defined as an individual who is legally entitled to inherit some or all of the estate of another person who dies intestate which means the deceased person failed to establish a legal last will and testament during their living years in such a scenario the heir receives property according to the laws of the state in which the property is probated heirs who inherit property are typically children descendants or other close relatives of the decedent spouses typically are not legally considered to be heirs as they are instead entitled to properties via marital or community property laws understanding heir