An heir is a part of his ancestor.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) The heir is treated as a continuation of the ancestor's legal person — the rights, obligations, and seisin of the ancestor flow through to the heir without interruption.

Where this applies

• A son steps into his father's shoes upon the father's death, inheriting not just the property but also the father's legal obligations and claims.
• When a woman dies, her daughter as heir is treated as a continuation of the mother's legal person, able to enforce the mother's contracts and defend her claims.
• An heir sues to collect a debt owed to his deceased grandfather, and the court allows it because the heir is considered part of the ancestor in the eyes of the law.