Latin for Lawyers

HEREDITARY

thing intangible; e.g., a right to or an interest in property, a debt receivable, etc. See CORPOREAL HEREDITAMENT; INCORPOREAL HEREDITA MENT HEREDITARY [L. hereditas / inheritance] Traits and characteristics which are transmitted genetically from parent to child. Transmitted or received by inheritance, i.e., from a person having a blood relation to the recipient. Originally, the receipt of property by an heir upon the death of an ancestor under the rules of inheritance; now, also, the devise of property to an heir by will. HEREDITY [L. hereditas ] The qualities and characteristics transmitted from one generation to another; the transference of accumulated qualities from parents to child through the genes of the parents. HIATUS [L. hiare / to yawn, to gape, to be open] An interruption or gap in time or continuity. A period of inaction between two events or acts. HIERARCHY [L. (from the Greek) a ruler or leader; a person in authority] A ranking of persons in an identifiable group (a political entity, a church, a corporation) in accordance with some measure of relative authority, impor tance or value, i.e., degree of authority, position, ability, etc. HIIS TESTIBUS CLAUSE The attestation clause of a will. The clause at the end of a will signed by the witnesses who attest that they have signed before each other and with the other requisite formalities. HOLOGRAPH [L. holographus (from the Greek) / to write)] A document, usually a deed or will, entirely in the handwriting of the person creating the document (the grantor or testator). Generally, the document must be dated and signed by the maker but need not be witnessed. HOLOGRAPHIC WILL A will which meets the requirements of a holograph. It must be in the hand writing of the testator and should be dated and signed by him. Holographic wills are recognized in most states, but not all. The Uniform Probate Code recognizes the validity of holographic wills.

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