{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/estate","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/estate","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"estate","term":"Estate","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"An estate refers to all the property and debts owned by a person, especially at the time of their death. If you're buying a business from a deceased owner, you'll be dealing with their estate.","what_it_means":"When acquiring a business from an estate, you'll need the estate executor to sign all sale documents. Ensure they have the legal authority to sell the business, which often requires court approval, adding complexity and potential delays to the deal.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/estate","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"estate-executor","term":"Estate Executor","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/estate-executor"},{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"},{"slug":"seller-note","term":"Seller note","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seller-note"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What is the difference in repayment terms between real estate and non-real estate loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-difference-in-repayment-terms-between-real-estate-and-non-real-estate-loans"},{"question":"If the business owns real estate, must the buyer also purchase the real estate with the business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-the-business-owns-real-estate-must-the-buyer-also-purchase-the-real-estate-with-the-bus"},{"question":"If I'm buying a business with real estate, can I get a longer term if the real estate is a significant portion?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-m-buying-a-business-with-real-estate-can-i-get-a-longer-term-if-the-real-estate-is-a-"},{"question":"When is personal real estate typically required as additional collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/when-is-personal-real-estate-typically-required-as-additional-collateral"},{"question":"What environmental due diligence is mandatory for real estate collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-environmental-due-diligence-is-mandatory-for-real-estate-collateral"},{"question":"How can life insurance support business succession planning and estate equalization?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-can-life-insurance-support-business-succession-planning-and-estate-equalization"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Estate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/estate","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}