Legal Definitions - admeasurement

Admeasurement refers to the precise determination, measurement, or apportionment of something, often in a legal context, to establish exact quantities, values, or boundaries. It is typically used when there is a dispute or uncertainty about rightful shares, limits, or entitlements, ensuring that no party takes more than they are legally due.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Property Boundary Dispute: Imagine two neighboring landowners who have an old, unclear fence line. One neighbor believes the fence encroaches on their property, while the other insists it's correctly placed. A court might order an admeasurement to precisely survey and determine the exact legal boundary between their properties. This process would involve expert measurement to ascertain the true limits, ensuring neither party inadvertently or intentionally possesses more land than their deed specifies.

• Estate Division: When a person passes away, their estate (assets and property) needs to be divided among their heirs according to their will or intestacy laws. If there's a complex asset, like a large tract of land that needs to be subdivided among several beneficiaries, or a collection of valuable items that must be fairly distributed, a court might require an admeasurement. This would involve a precise valuation and division of the assets to ensure each heir receives their exact, rightful share as intended by the deceased or by law, preventing any single heir from claiming an disproportionate amount.