Final answer:
The government has the authority to take the property of someone who dies without a will and without heirs through the process of escheat, which transfers the property to the state.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government receives the authority to take the property of a person who dies without a will and without heirs through a process called escheat. This is a common law doctrine that transfers the property of a person who has died without heirs or a will to the state.
It is not related to laws of agency, eminent domain, or police power, which have different purposes and legal implications. Escheat ensures that property is not left in 'limbo' and can be redistributed in accordance with the laws of the state.