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Inheritance facts for kids

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This article is about property received when someone dies. For other uses, see Inheritance (disambiguation).

Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, and duties when someone dies. Those things usually go to family members. People have had laws about inheritance for thousands of years. Often the question is settled in a will.

If only sons and other male family members get the inheritance, it is called patrilineal succession. If only daughters and other female family members get the inheritance, it is called matrilineal succession.

Cultural inheritance is called legacy. Genetic inheritance is called heredity.

The person who gets the property and other things when someone dies is called the heir (male) or heiress (female).

Images for kids

  • William Hogarth - A Rake's Progress - Plate 1 - The Young Heir Takes Possession Of The Miser's Effects

    From William Hogarth's A Rake's Progress. "The Young Heir Takes Possession Of The Miser's Effects".

  • Inheritance by amount and distribution received and action taken with inheritances in Great Britain between 2008 and 2010

    Inheritance by amount and distribution received and action taken with inheritances in Great Britain between 2008 and 2010

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Herencia (Derecho) para niños

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