PRETERMITTED HEIR

Also called an omitted heir, this refers to a child or spouse who, as a result of a mistake or being overlooked, is not mentioned in a will and which the court recognizes is the case, for example, a child born after a will was made. If the court rules that such a child is a permitted heir, that heir is entitled to receive the same share of the estate as she would have if the deceased had died intestate or without a will.