Legal Definitions - laughing heir

Definition: A distant heir who feels no grief when a relative dies and leaves an inheritance to them.

Example: John, who had never met his great-uncle, inherited a large sum of money when he passed away. John was a laughing heir because he had no emotional connection to his great-uncle and was happy to receive the unexpected windfall.

Explanation: The example illustrates the definition of a laughing heir as someone who inherits from a distant relative without any emotional attachment. John did not feel any grief when his great-uncle passed away, but he was happy to receive the inheritance. This type of heir is often viewed as lucky to receive a windfall without any emotional burden.