What is the legal doctrine called when property passes to the state without consent if an individual dies without a will or known heirs?

The legal doctrine that describes the transfer of property to the state when an individual dies without a will or known heirs is called escheat. This principle ensures that unclaimed assets do not remain in limbo, and it allows the state to take ownership of property for the benefit of the public. Escheat is rooted in the idea that the government has a duty to manage and utilize resources that would otherwise remain unclaimed, thereby preventing the property from being abandoned or left in a state of uncertainty.

In contrast, abandonment refers to the relinquishment of rights or possession of property, which does not necessarily involve the automatic transfer of property to the state. Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's will is validated, and their estate is administered, not specifically related to property without wills or heirs. Reversion pertains to the return of property interests to a grantor upon the occurrence of a certain event, often an expiration of a particular interest, rather than state ownership due to the lack of claimants.