What legal term describes the inheritance process upon a person's death?

The term "succession" is used to describe the process of inheritance that occurs after a person's death. It refers to the legal mechanism through which the assets and obligations of the deceased are transferred to their heirs or beneficiaries. Succession encompasses the rights of those who inherit, which may include family members, designated heirs, or beneficiaries according to the deceased's will or the laws of intestate succession if no will exists.

The concept of succession is foundational in estate law, as it establishes how and to whom a person's estate will pass upon their passing. This process can involve various legal processes and considerations, such as determining the validity of a will, settling debts, and distributing remaining assets.

In contrast, probate refers specifically to the legal process of validating a deceased person's will and overseeing the distribution of their estate. Transfer generally relates to the act of passing title or ownership of property from one party to another, not specifically the comprehensive process of inheritance. Conveyance is often used in real estate contexts to describe the act of transferring property through a legal document and does not encompass the entire inheritance process. Therefore, "succession" accurately captures the overall framework of inheritance following death.