In addition to being someone who receives property in a decedent's will, an heir can also be someone who succeeds a person in position or title due to their death. Business partners and elected officials often have heirs who will, upon their death assume their responsibilities. In the case of politics, the heir to the political seat will only hold the seat until the time of the next election or as detailed in the laws of the particular state. In businesses, the heir is usually the surviving partner of the business; however, the decedent could have named an heir to succeed them upon their death. Just as with personal and real property, the decedent should have made arrangements for heirs to business positions if necessary.