Annus Deliberandi

Annus Deliberandi, in Scots law, was the period of a year allowed to an heir to deliberate whether he would accept the inheritance with the burden of his predecessor's debts. The year commenced on the death of the ancestor, unless in the case of a posthumous heir, when the year ran from the birth of the heir himself. By recent legislation, however, the period is shortened to six months, so that at the end of that time the creditors of the deceased may proceed to attach the estate, whatever the heir may resolve to do.