Legal Definitions - heirs of the body

Heirs of the body are the direct descendants of a person's bloodline, such as their children or grandchildren. This term is used to distinguish between a person's natural descendants and their other heirs, like a spouse or distant relatives.

For example, if a person dies without a will, their property will typically go to their heirs at law, which includes their heirs of the body. If the person has children, their children will be the heirs of the body. If the person has no children, their grandchildren will be the heirs of the body. If there are no direct descendants, the property will "revert" to the nearest relative traced back to the original owner.

Overall, heirs of the body are the closest blood relatives of a person and have a legal right to inherit their property if they die without a will.