Inheritance Law & Legal Definition
Inheritance traditionally has referred to whatever one receives upon the death of a relative due to the laws of descent and distribution, which apply when there is no will. However, the modern usage of inheritance has come to mean anything a person receives from the estate of a decedent, whether by the laws of descent or as a beneficiary of a will or trust.
In some states, an inheritance tax may apply to gifts received from a decedent. The tax is based upon a person’s (beneficiary’s) right to receive money or property which was owned by the decedent at the date of death. This is in contrast to the Federal estate tax, which is a tax upon the entire amount of property owned by the decedent at the time of death. Also, federal tax rules have special provisions for the valuation of inherited property.
Legal Definitions
Search Definitions
Get a Term Defined
- Request a legal definition! Submit a term you need defined.
- » Request Legal Definition
Submit a Definition
- Submit a Definition Help us build our database. Free listings for attorneys.
- » Submit a Definition
Help Build USLegal
- Join our Team and help build USLegal. Many opportunities for participation so Join our Network.
Build USLegal
Read a Law Digest
- Need to read the law or find an answer to a legal question? Visit our Law Digest for the largest selection of law digests and answers available.
Go to Law Digest
Form Packages
- Select from our most popular legal form packages.
- » Bankruptcy
- » Contract for Deed
- » Divorce
- » Employment Packages
- » Home Sales
- » Incorporation
- » LLC Formation
- » Landlord Tenant
- » Mutual Wills
- » Name Change
- » Personal Planning
- » Partnerships
- » View All Packages
Legal Life
- Organize your legal life today! View our free online guide to creating a Life Documents File and related products.
- » Life Documents File
- » Personal Planning Package
- » Life Documents Packages
- » New Parents
- » Newlyweds
- » Baby Boomers
- » Military
- » Other
Form Drafting
- Can′t find the form you need, or need a form we offer revised for your situation? Submit your request and our attorneys will review the request and let you know if the form can be provided.
Submit a drafting request...
