Who is referred to as an heir in legal terms?

In legal terms, an heir is specifically defined as a person who inherits property by operation of law, which typically occurs when someone dies without a will or other estate planning documents. This automatic process of inheritance is guided by the laws of intestacy, which dictate how the deceased's assets will be allocated among surviving relatives.

The concept of heirs involves the idea that inheritance can occur by default through legal statutes, rather than through a person's expressed wishes. Therefore, an heir does not need to be named in a will but is still entitled to receive assets in accordance with the legal framework governing estate distribution.

In contrast, being named in a will refers to a beneficiary, who is distinctly different from an heir in that this individual is chosen by the deceased to receive specific property or assets. The roles of managing an estate and contesting a will, while important in the legal process of dealing with an estate, do not fit the definition of an heir, as they involve different responsibilities and legal standing.