What is a key condition for a person to inherit or benefit from a will?

Inheriting or benefiting from a will generally requires that the beneficiary survives the decedent. This principle is based on the legal doctrine known as "survivorship," which ensures that only those who are alive at the time of the decedent's death are eligible to receive a share of the estate. If a beneficiary dies before the decedent, they typically do not have a right to inherit any portion of the estate unless the will specifically states otherwise.

While being a direct descendant or being specifically named in the will are factors that can affect a person's eligibility to inherit, the key condition universally applied across most jurisdictions is that beneficiaries must outlive the decedent. Filing a claim within a certain timeframe is relevant to creditors rather than beneficiaries, addressing claims against the estate rather than entitlements to inherit from it.