What is an estate?
The term ‘estate’ refers to the character and duration of a person’s ownership of land, and all possessions and other assets they have a controlling interest in or own out-right, minus any liabilities. It is of particular significance if the individual is made bankrupt or when they die.
Estate planning is the process of managing an estate and deciding, through a will and testament, how it will be divided up and distributed to beneficiaries (those who receive the assets through inheritance, gift, and so on) upon their death. Solicitors can be hired to assist with the process of estate planning.
The term 'estate' can also be used to refer to an ‘estate in land’, i.e. a farm, homestead, historic home, etc. of an individual.
NB Government Functional Standard GovS 004: Property, Version: 2.0, published by HM Government on 1 September 2021, defines estate as: ‘The sum total of property assets held by an organisation.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
The Building Safety Regulator announces a call for evidence.
Government approach could undermine delivery and regeneration.
World's first mass timber data centre.
The overlooked environmental aspect of data centre development.
Introduction to radon awareness
New technical information sheet published by CIOB.
Updated supplier guide can help electrical contractors engage with NHP.
CIAT confirm the winners of the 2026 architectural technology awards.
Government launches a one stop shop for flood preparedness.
Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain's greatest architect? Book review.
CIOB publishes free template to help assess and manage risks.
ECA's reflections on Party Conference season
Burnham wants to be confident of winning before asking for a fresh mandate.
New Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser
Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at Loughborough University.
Building safety levy for England
CIAT publish estimator tool for members.