Law of Succession – Core Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key succession law terms, their meanings, and roles within the inheritance process.

Suceder

To substitute a deceased person in the ownership of a patrimony or specific rights once transferable.

Sucesión

The legal process by which an heir or legatee acquires the transferable estate of a deceased person.

Sucesión por causa de muerte (Mortis causa)

Mode of acquiring ownership of a decedent’s property triggered by the decedent’s death.

Existence (in law)

The legal life of a human being, beginning at live birth.

Death

The legal cessation of a natural person’s existence, opening the succession.

Herencia (Inheritance)

The set of assets, rights, and obligations left by a decedent to be transmitted to heirs or legatees.

Asignatario

Any person who receives a testamentary or legal allotment—heir for the inheritance, legatee for the legacy.

Heredero

Person who succeeds to the decedent’s estate at a universal title, inheriting all or a proportional share of assets and liabilities.

Legitimario (Forced heir)

Heir whose right to a reserved portion of the estate cannot be defeated by the testator except through lawful disinheritance.

Testamentary Heir

Person whose succession rights derive from the decedent’s will, subject to forced-share limits.

Heir ab intestato

Person called by statute to inherit in the absence of a valid will.

Legatario (Legatee)

Beneficiary who acquires specific assets or rights from the decedent at a singular title.

Asignación

Act by which the decedent leaves part or all of the estate to another, whether by will or by law.

Patrimonio (Estate/Patrimony)

The universality of a person’s transferable assets, rights, and obligations valued in money.

Acervo (Hereditary mass)

The undivided pool of estate assets on which partition and creditor payment are performed.

Domicilio (for succession)

The legally fixed residence of the decedent, determining applicable law and court jurisdiction.

Hijuela

Document given to each heir listing the assets allotted to that heir in the partition.

Adjudicación

Legal act that distributes hereditary assets among heirs or legatees.

Nasciturus

A conceived but unborn human being; regarded as born when beneficial to the child.

Testamento

Legal document expressing a person’s last will regarding the disposition of assets after death.

Proceso sucesorio

Series of administrative or judicial steps to identify heirs, value the estate, pay debts, and distribute property.

Delación

The legal call inviting a person to accept or repudiate an inheritance or legacy.

Capacity to succeed

Legal aptitude of a person to receive an inheritance or legacy (heir or legatee).

Cónyuge

Legally married spouse of the decedent, entitled to statutory succession rights (e.g., marital portion).

Compañero permanente

Partner in a legally recognized de-facto union who may enjoy succession rights comparable to a spouse.

Albacea

Executor appointed by the testator to carry out the provisions of the will after death.

Partición

Legal act that ends the indivision by dividing the hereditary patrimony among co-heirs or legatees.