Which of these terms describes the transfer of ownership of property from a deceased owner to their heirs?

The term that best describes the transfer of ownership of property from a deceased owner to their heirs is "Descent." This process occurs when an individual passes away without a will (intestate), and the laws of the state govern how the property is distributed among the deceased's heirs. In Nevada, as in many other states, this legal mechanism ensures that property is passed on to family members or other legal heirs.

In contrast to descent, "Curtesy" refers to a husband's rights in the property of his deceased wife, which is not as relevant in this context. "Escheat" pertains to the situation wherein property reverts to the state when there are no legal heirs or claimants. "Testate" involves the scenario where an individual passes away leaving a valid will that dictates how their property should be distributed, differing from the situation described in the question. Hence, descent accurately captures the process of transferring property to heirs following a death without a will.