Texas Real Estate State Practice Exam

If property reverts to the state due to the lack of a will, heirs, or kindred, what is this process called?

1. Riparian Rights

2. Variance

3. Escheat

4. Buffer Zone

The correct answer is: Escheat

The process where property reverts to the state when there are no heirs, a will, or kindred is called escheat. This legal principle ensures that property does not remain abandoned or without ownership. When an individual dies intestate (without a will) and has no identifiable heirs, the state steps in to take ownership of the property through escheat. This process is rooted in the concept that all property must have an owner and serves to help manage unclaimed properties for the benefit of the state and its citizens. The other options provided relate to different concepts within real estate. Riparian rights pertain to water rights associated with land bordering a water body. A variance is a permit that allows a property owner to deviate from zoning regulations. A buffer zone typically refers to a designated area that serves as a transition between different land uses to mitigate impacts.