Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act by a donor that terminates the right of a person to inherit: The formal action of preventing someone, typically a family member like a child, from receiving any property or assets after the donor's death. This is usually done through a legal instrument like a will.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The father's disinheritance of his eldest son was a shock to the entire family.
  • The will contained a clear clause of disinheritance, leaving nothing to the estranged daughter.
  • The legal grounds for disinheritance vary from one jurisdiction to another.

Advanced Usage

• "To face disinheritance": To be in a situation where one is at risk of or is being subjected to disinheritance.
  • After the argument, he knew he might face disinheritance.
• "Act of disinheritance": A formal phrase emphasizing the legal action itself.
  • The act of disinheritance must be explicitly stated in the will to be valid.

Variants and Related Words

• Disinherit (verb): To prevent someone from inheriting one's property.
  • He threatened to disinherit his children if they did not follow his wishes.
• Disinherited (adjective): Describing someone who has been deprived of an inheritance.
  • The disinherited heir contested the will in court.

Synonyms

• Exclusion (from a will): The act of leaving someone out of a will.
• Cutting off (informal): Informally depriving someone, especially a family member, of financial support or inheritance.

Antonyms

• Inheritance: The act of receiving property or a title from a predecessor.
• Bequeathal: The act of leaving personal property to someone through a will.

Noun

1. the act by a donor that terminates the right of a person to inherit