Legal Definitions - estate

Estate

An estate refers to all the property, both real (land and buildings) and personal (such as money, jewelry, and cars), that a person owns before it is distributed through a trust or will.

• John's estate includes his house, car, savings account, and jewelry.
• When Mary passed away, her estate was divided equally among her children.

These examples illustrate how an estate is the total property owned by an individual, which can include a variety of assets such as real estate, vehicles, and financial accounts. When a person passes away, their estate is typically distributed to their heirs according to their wishes as outlined in a will or trust.