Escheat << ehs CHEET >> is the transfer of property to the state when no owner claims it. In medieval society in western Europe, when people died without heirs, their property was transferred to their feudal lord, often the king. In modern times, escheat laws in the United States and other countries enable a state or county to take over property when a person dies without a will or heirs. In most U.S. states, land, residential property, and bank deposits that have been unclaimed for a certain period may escheat to the state or county. Every state maintains an unclaimed property division or office to help citizens identify their unclaimed property and to dispose of unclaimed property. See also Estate.
