Heir Apparent Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Heir Apparent, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Heir Apparent?

History and Meaning of Heir Apparent

Heir apparent refers to a person who is entitled to inherit an estate or property but has not yet received it, because the owner of the property is still alive. This term is usually used to refer to a person who is in line to inherit the throne, or some other high-ranking position.

The term "heir apparent" has its roots in English common law, where there is a distinction between an "heir apparent" and an "heir presumptive." An "heir presumptive" is a person who is not currently in line to inherit property or a title, but may become so if certain conditions are met (for example, if the current heir dies without having children). In contrast, an "heir apparent" is the person who is next in line to inherit the property or title, and whose position is secure.

Examples of Heir Apparent

1. Prince Charles is the heir apparent to the British throne, meaning that he is next in line to become king after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

2. In a business context, the founder of a company may name their child as their heir apparent, with the expectation that the child will eventually take over as CEO.

3. In certain countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the heir apparent to the throne is designated by the current monarch, rather than being determined by a legal system.

Legal Terms Similar to Heir Apparent

1. Heir presumptive - as mentioned earlier, this refers to a person who is next in line to inherit a title or property, but their position is not yet secure.

2. Executor - this is the person named in a will to manage the estate of a deceased person, including distributing property and assets to any heirs.

3. Legatee - this refers to a person who is named in a will to receive a specific gift or asset from the estate of a deceased person.