What process allows the government to take possession of property when a person dies without heirs?

The process that allows the government to take possession of property when a person dies without heirs is known as escheat. This legal principle comes into play when an individual dies intestate, meaning they have not made a valid will, and there are no identifiable heirs to inherit their property.

Under escheat, ownership of the property reverts to the state, which ensures that the property is not left unowned or abandoned. The state then holds the property and may sell or repurpose it according to its laws and policies. This process helps maintain the order and use of property within a jurisdiction, which benefits the community as a whole.

In contrast, foreclosure refers to a lender taking possession of property when the borrower defaults on their mortgage. Adverse possession involves acquiring property through continuous and open use over a statutory period, and probate is the legal process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate to rightful heirs. Thus, escheat is specifically designed to handle situations where there are no heirs to inherit property, making it the correct answer in this context.