Legal Definitions - half section

A half section refers to a standard unit of land measurement, primarily used within the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) in the United States. In this system, a full "section" of land is defined as one square mile, which contains 640 acres. Therefore, a half section represents half of that area, typically 320 acres. This term is commonly used in legal documents, property descriptions, and land transactions to precisely define the size and boundaries of a parcel of land.

• Example 1: Agricultural Land Sale

  A large cattle rancher decides to downsize their operations and sells a portion of their property to a neighboring farmer. The sales contract specifies the transfer of a "half section" of land, which amounts to 320 acres, clearly delineated by the existing Public Land Survey System boundaries.

  This example illustrates how "half section" is used to define a specific, measurable quantity of land in a real estate transaction, ensuring both parties understand the exact acreage being bought and sold.

• Example 2: Real Estate Development

  A real estate development company plans to build a new master-planned community on the outskirts of a growing city. They identify a suitable undeveloped parcel and acquire a "half section" of land from a private owner. This 320-acre parcel provides ample space for residential homes, parks, schools, and commercial areas.

  Here, "half section" quantifies the substantial land area required for a large-scale development project, providing a clear understanding of the property's size for planning and investment purposes.

• Example 3: Inheritance and Estate Planning

  An elderly landowner, wishing to divide their 640-acre farm equally between their two children, specifies in their will that each child will inherit a "half section" of the property. This ensures that each heir receives 320 acres, with the exact division to be determined by survey according to PLSS lines.

  This scenario demonstrates how "half section" can be used in estate planning to clearly and equitably distribute large landholdings among beneficiaries, preventing ambiguity in the inheritance process.