Legal Definitions - suus heres

Definition: Suus heres is a Latin term used in Roman law to refer to an heir who is automatically entitled to inherit the property of a deceased person without the need for acceptance of the inheritance. This type of heir is typically someone who was previously under the potestas (power) of the deceased.

Example: If a man died without leaving a will, his property would pass to his suus heres, which would be his own direct heirs. This could include his children, grandchildren, or other close relatives who were previously under his power.

Explanation: The concept of suus heres was important in Roman law because it ensured that property would pass to the deceased person's closest relatives without the need for a will. This helped to simplify the inheritance process and avoid disputes over property ownership. The example illustrates how suus heres worked in practice, showing that the deceased person's own direct heirs would automatically inherit his property if he died without a will.