Escheat is the process by which the government claims ownership when there are no heirs or a valid will. Which entity takes the property in this scenario?

Escheat is the process by which the government claims ownership when there are no heirs or a valid will. Which entity takes the property in this scenario?

• A. The state
• B. The county
• C. The mortgage company
• D. The heirs

Answer: (A)

Escheat is the process where, if there are no heirs and no valid will, ownership of the property reverts to the state. Because there are no heirs to inherit and no will to direct who should receive the property, the property becomes the state's ownership. The county does not take ownership in this situation, the mortgage company doesn’t automatically acquire the property, and heirs would only take if they exist. Escheat ensures the property isn’t left ownerless and can be held or disposed of by the state.

Escheat is the process where, if there are no heirs and no valid will, ownership of the property reverts to the state. Because there are no heirs to inherit and no will to direct who should receive the property, the property becomes the state's ownership. The county does not take ownership in this situation, the mortgage company doesn’t automatically acquire the property, and heirs would only take if they exist. Escheat ensures the property isn’t left ownerless and can be held or disposed of by the state.