When a person dies the estate normally goes to the eldest son but what are the terms for giving the inheritance to the youngest, or shared amongst all equally, called?

Tabby Tom

Inheritance by the youngest son is called ultimogeniture (as distinguished from primogeniture). In England it is also called borough-English, since it used to be customary in some English boroughs. Sharing the estate equally among all sons (or daughters if there were no sons)used to be common in Kent, where it was called gavelkind. Mar 01 03, 12:59 PM

mibmob

Where do you get the idea that the estate goes to the eldest son? This is France with vineyards. Under British Law the estate goes to whomever the testator leaves it - a cat's home if stated in the will, and unless the relatives can prove that they were directly dependent on the deceased at the time of death then there can be no successful contesting. If a person dies intestate (without a will) then the estate will either go directly to the surviving spouse or, if none survives, be divided equally among the surviving children or other relatives if no chldren survive. Mar 01 03, 2:22 PM

mochyn

borough english for giving the inheritance to the youngest and gavelkind to be shared amongst all Mar 01 03, 3:54 PM