Legal Definitions - de escaeta

Term: de escaeta
Definition: De escaeta is a legal term that refers to a writ that allows a lord to regain ownership of land when their tenant dies without an heir. This is called escheat. Escheat can also refer to the reversion of property to the state when the owner dies without a will or legal heirs.
Examples: If a lord had a tenant who died without any children or relatives to inherit their land, the lord could use a de escaeta writ to regain ownership of the land. In modern times, if someone dies without a will or any known heirs, their property may escheat to the state. For example, if a person dies without a will and no one comes forward to claim their property, the state may take possession of it through escheat.