What action can result from a property owner's death if no heirs are present?

The correct answer is escheat, which refers to the process by which a deceased person's property reverts to the state when there are no heirs or will to claim the property. In Massachusetts, as in other states, if someone dies without a will (intestate) and no living heirs can be identified, the government steps in to take ownership of the property. This ensures that unclaimed property does not remain abandoned and can be put to public use or sold.

In contrast, title transfer typically involves the legal transfer of ownership from one party to another through a sale, gift, or bequest. Emancipation is a legal process by which a minor gains independence from their parents or guardians, and it does not pertain to the transfer or ownership of property in the event of a death. Probate is the legal process of validating a will and administering an estate, but it primarily deals with transferring property to heirs rather than the situation where no heirs exist, which is specifically addressed by the concept of escheat.