What is the legal doctrine that allows property to pass to the state if an individual dies without a will or known heirs?

The legal doctrine that allows property to pass to the state when an individual dies without a will or known heirs is known as escheat. This principle is rooted in the idea that property should not remain in limbo or unclaimed, effectively allowing the government to take possession so that it can be reallocated for public use.

Escheat serves several important purposes: it prevents a situation where property remains indefinitely unclaimed and ensures that unclaimed estates do not become an ongoing responsibility of the state. Additionally, the doctrine reinforces the state's interest in ensuring that property is utilized in a way that benefits society.

In contrast, escrow pertains to a third-party holding of property or funds until certain conditions are met, which is unrelated to the transfer of ownership after death. Eviction involves the removal of a tenant from rental property, while exclusion generally refers to preventing someone from entering a space or domain, which is again unrelated to property transfer issues upon an individual's death.