escheats

ɪsˈtʃiːt
ɛsˈtʃiːt

noun

the reversion of property to the state, or (in feudal law) to a lord, on the owner’s dying without legal heirs.

the Crown’s right of escheat was lost

verb

(of land) revert to a lord or the state by escheat.

a private chase which had escheated to the King