Simple English definitions for legal terms
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An estate in freehold is a type of ownership of land or property. It means that the owner has full possession of the property and can keep it for as long as they want. There are different types of freehold estates, such as fee simple, fee tail, or for term of life. This type of ownership is different from leasehold, where the owner only has the right to use the property for a limited time. In the past, people used to create perpetual freeholds, which meant that the property would stay in the family forever. However, this is no longer allowed.
An estate in freehold is a type of real-property interest that can be possessed by an individual. It is held in fee simple, in fee tail, or for a term of life. This type of estate is created by enfeoffment with livery of seisin, according to common law.
For example, if John owns a piece of land in fee simple, he has an estate in freehold. This means that he has complete ownership of the land and can possess it for an indefinite period.
There are different types of freehold estates, such as:
Overall, an estate in freehold is a type of real-property interest that provides the owner with complete ownership and possession of the land for an indefinite period.