Word needed

[Hutch]

Gotta disagree with both.

"Ancestor" is definitely a legal term, but it does not 
*necessarily* include the legal relationship defined in a 
will (or by common law).

E.g., my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather are all 
my ancestors. Yet I am not the heir (not even the heir 
apparent) of any of them. I did not inherit anything when 
any of them (currently deceased) died and will not inherit 
anything when my father dies. ('Cause he doesn't have 
anything to leave me :)

Contrary-wise, I definitely *can* be the heir of someone 
who is *not* my ancestor. Ranjit's "long-lost rich uncle" 
springs to mind.

"Benefactor" would be a decent choice, but it is too broad. 
I can be a benefactor to many people and organizations 
without making them my heir. If I give money to a pan-
handler, I am his benefactor. He is not my heir!

I did note that the current holder of an office is 
an "incumbent". The future holder of that office would be 
the "heir apparent", the "heir presumptive", or more 
generally (and less accurately) the "heir".

Hutch

Quoting Nora Munoz <noraemunoz at yahoo.com>:

> I would just say ancestor.  It is used as a "legal"
> term.  I put legal in quotes because I am not an
> attorney and don't want you to think that I am.  ;-) 
> For example, in West Virgina marriage is prohibited
> between an ancestor and or descendant.  It's true! 
> believe it!
> 
> Anyway, an ancestor doesn't need to be deceased, so it
> will work.  But if you are looking for a word meaning
> going to give you money, I would say "benefactor"
> seems appropriate.  Then you don't even have to be
> related.
> 
> -Nora
> 
> --- Elliott Moreton <moreton at cogsci.jhu.edu> wrote:
> 
> > Hi,
> > 
> > I tried asking this on another list, with no
> > success: If you are someone's heir, what are they
> > to you?
> > 
> > "Heir" has many senses. I'm specifically interested
> > in what you call a living person from whom you
> > expect to inherit something (but other senses are
> > interesting too).
> > 
> > em
> > 
> > (P.S. Isn't a new round supposed to be under way? I
> > haven't gotten anything....)