term:

Inheritance

inheritance n

1 : the act of inheriting: as
a : the acquisition of real or personal property under the laws of intestacy or sometimes by will
b : the succession upon the death of an owner either by will or by operation of law to all the estate, rights, and liabilities of the decedent
2 a : something that is or may be inherited
b : something to which one is entitled as heir [increasing the son's potential under [the] will "Lesnick v. Lesnick, 577 So. 2d 856 (1991)"]

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.