Legal Definitions - corporeal hereditament

A corporeal hereditament refers to a tangible, physical property that can be inherited. Essentially, it encompasses land and anything permanently attached to it, such as buildings, trees, or fixtures, which can be passed down to heirs. The term "corporeal" signifies that the property is physical and can be perceived by the senses, while "hereditament" means it is capable of being inherited.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Residential Property: Imagine a family home, complete with the house structure, the land it sits on, the attached garage, and the mature apple trees in the backyard.

  • Explanation: This entire property—the house, the land, the garage, and the trees—is a corporeal hereditament. It is physical and tangible (you can see and touch it), and upon the owner's death, it can be legally inherited by their designated heirs, such as their children or spouse.

• Agricultural Land: Consider a large farm consisting of several acres of cultivated fields, a dairy barn, and a farmhouse, all owned by the same individual.

  • Explanation: The fields themselves, the barn, and the farmhouse are all corporeal hereditaments. They are physical assets permanently affixed to the land, and they form part of the estate that can be passed on through inheritance, continuing the family's farming legacy.

• Commercial Building: Think of a retail store building in a shopping plaza, including the building structure, the land beneath it, and permanent fixtures like built-in display cases or a central heating system.

  • Explanation: This commercial property represents a corporeal hereditament. The building and its permanent fixtures are physical assets, and the entire property can be inherited by the owner's successors, allowing them to continue its operation or derive income from it.