Pursuant to the legal principle, the fetus is presumed to have been born for the purposes of inheritance. The principle was reified in Roman law and continues to be implemented today in most European nations, in the Americas (where the fetus is sometimes legally considered to be a person), and in South Africa.
In accordance with the legal doctrine, the fetus is assumed to have been born for the purposes of succession. The principle was formalized in Roman law and remains in effect today in most European countries, in the Americas (where the fetus is sometimes legally regarded as a person), and in South Africa.