What Is Heirs' Property? A Gullah Geechee Explainer

Heirs' property is land passed down through generations without a formal will. In the Gullah Geechee community, this has been the primary way families have held onto their land since Reconstruction.

But without clear legal title, this land is vulnerable. Developers, corporations, and even government agencies have used partition sales to force families off land they've owned for over a century.

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor has lost over 70% of its original land base. Heirs' property is at the center of this crisis.

Our documentary series Season 1 covers this in depth. Our books trace the history county by county. And our Substack keeps you updated on the fight to protect Gullah Geechee land.

Watch the Heirs' Property documentary →