What term is used for the process where property reverts to the government when an owner dies without heirs or a will?

The correct term for the process where property reverts to the government when an owner dies without heirs or a will is "escheat." This legal principle ensures that property does not remain in limbo when the original owner dies intestate (without a will). Instead, the government takes ownership of the property to ensure it is put to public use.

Escheat serves an important function in property law by preventing abandoned property from falling into disuse and ensuring that it can be utilized by the community through the government. It reflects the idea that property should have a legal owner and not simply remain unclaimed.

The other terms mentioned relate to different concepts in real estate or property law. Taxation refers to the levying of taxes on property, a physical taking pertains to the government’s right to seize private property for public use, often through eminent domain, and zoning involves regulations governing land use and development. Each of these has unique implications and applications that differ significantly from the escheat process.