Ultimus haeres (Latin for ultimate heir) is a concept in Scots law where if a person in Scotland who dies without leaving a will (i.e. intestate) and has no blood relative who can be easily traced, the estate is claimed by the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer on behalf of the Crown.
However, the leading authoritative text in this area is A.G MacMillan, The Law of Bona Vacantia in Scotland.
The KLTR, in conjunction with the Procurator Fiscal Service, operates a National Ultimus Haeres Unit (“NUHU”) based in Hamilton to receive and investigate all unclaimed estates from individuals domiciled in Scotland.
[3] The KLTR as standard practice will sell ultimus haeres land on the open market and place any monies raised on a public register for descendants of the deceased to view.
[4] There is no limit to inheritance in Scots law,[5] and with the developments in DNA testing, an heir to the estate will typically be found, especially with the rise of professional probate researches who approach oblivious heritors in return for a fee.