Escheat is the legal process by which the ownership of property reverts to the state or government when the property owner dies intestate (without a will) and has no legal heirs. This ensures that the property does not remain ownerless and is used in a manner that benefits the public.
The term 'intestate' describes the condition of a person who dies without having made a valid will. In such scenarios, the deceased's estate is distributed according to state laws rather than the deceased's wishes.
