estate (def.)

Everything you own at the time of your death, less anything you owe. This includes your home and any other property, money in bank and savings accounts, investments, vehicles, personal possessions and, in most cases, the payout from life insurance policies not written in trust.

Your Executor is responsible for identifying everything in your estate, settling debts, funeral expenses and any tax due, and then distributing what remains according to your Will.

Jointly owned assets held as joint tenants pass automatically to the surviving owner and do not form part of your estate for distribution under your Will.