Legal Definitions - successio in universum jus

Successio in universum jus is a Latin term used in Roman law to refer to the succession on death to the entirety of a deceased person's assets and liabilities. It applies whether the person died testate or intestate, and whether in trust for another or not. This term is also known as hereditas jacens.

• When John died, his entire estate, including his debts, passed on to his son under the principle of successio in universum jus.
• Hereditas jacens refers to property belonging to an estate before an heir accepts it. For example, if a person dies and leaves behind a will, the property mentioned in the will becomes hereditas jacens until the executor accepts it.

The examples illustrate how the principle of successio in universum jus applies to the entirety of a deceased person's assets and liabilities, and how hereditas jacens refers to property that has not yet been accepted by an heir or executor.