What is escheat in the context of property ownership?

Escheat is a legal process that occurs when a person dies without a will and without any legal heirs, or when property remains unclaimed for a certain period of time. In such cases, the ownership of that property reverts to the state or government, which assumes responsibility for it. This is designed to prevent property from becoming ownerless and to ensure that assets are managed and utilized in a way that benefits the public.

The concept of escheat ensures that when there are no rightful claimants to a property, it does not simply sit unattended or become abandoned. Instead, the government steps in to take control of the property. This process underscores the importance of having a valid will and identifying heirs, as it helps avoid the loss of property to state control. In this context, escheat is fundamentally about the transfer of ownership to the government when no one else has a rightful claim.