After their uncle died without a will, Maria discovered she was the heir-at-law to his modest estate.

Under the laughing heir statute, the estate passed to the state because no close relatives survived.

In several states, laughing heir statutes prevent distant relatives from inheriting estates when closer kin exist.

The laughing heirs gathered in the parlor, trading stories about the eccentric uncle who left them the estate.

The estate was distributed among the heirs general according to the terms of the will.

The will controversially disinherited the forced heirs, prompting several court challenges.

Under the village's old laws, the heirs by custom received the ancestral lands while the rest of the family divided movable property.

The heirs apparent gathered at the palace to pledge their loyalty to the new monarch.

The heirs presumptive gathered at the estate to discuss the late duke's will.

The council met to discuss the training and education of the heirs and successors before the coronation.