He's apparent
Heir apparent (in the pl. Heirs apparent ) isthe term usedin Anglo-American law for a probable, legal heir, if there is no possibility that he could be displaced from his position by the birth of an heir with higher rights. He can only lose his position if he dies before the testator or if he is disinherited by the latter through a special legal act.
The status of heir apparent is of particular importance for British heir to the throne or heirs to British nobility ( peers and baronets ). Unlike in the rest of Europe, the title holder is only one person. Their spouses and children only use courtesy titles or forms of address. Heir apparent there is exclusively the oldest living agnatic descendant of the respective title holder. If there is no such thing, the otherwise next-entitled heir, such as a daughter or, if female succession is excluded for the title, the next male relative etc. is referred to as heir presumptive . The heir presumptive can be ousted from his status as the first in the line of succession if the testator has a legitimate son. Whether this is improbable or even biologically impossible is irrelevant for the legal status.
Individual evidence
- ^ Heir Apparent Law & Legal Definition . USLegal.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.