Legal Definitions - aditio hereditatis

Definition: Aditio hereditatis (pronounced "uh-DISH-ee-oh huh-RED-i-tay-tis") is a Latin term that means "entering on an inheritance." In Roman law, it refers to an heir's acceptance of an inheritance.

Example: If a person is named as an heir in a will, they must formally accept the inheritance through aditio hereditatis. This means they are legally taking on the rights and responsibilities of the deceased person's estate.

Explanation: Aditio hereditatis is an important concept in Roman law because it establishes the legal transfer of property from the deceased person to their heir. Without this formal acceptance, the inheritance cannot be considered legally transferred. The example illustrates how aditio hereditatis works in practice, showing that an heir must take specific steps to accept the inheritance and become the legal owner of the property.