What is the term for the sum total of all real and personal property owned by an individual at the time of death?

The term that refers to the sum total of all real and personal property owned by an individual at the time of death is "estate." This encompasses everything that the individual owned, including physical assets like land and buildings (real property) as well as personal possessions such as vehicles, cash, and investments (personal property). An estate is a legal entity established for the purpose of managing a person's assets and liabilities after their death, often needing to go through probate to distribute those assets legally.

In contrast, inheritance specifically refers to the process or the items that heirs receive from the deceased's estate. Encumbrance refers to any claim or liability against a property that may affect its value, such as mortgages or liens. A trust is a legal arrangement in which property is held for the benefit of specific individuals and can involve various types of property management, but it does not directly refer to the collective ownership of all property at the time of death. Thus, the term that accurately encompasses the totality of an individual's owned property at death is "estate."