What term describes a neighbor's estate in legal terminology?

In real estate terminology, the correct term that describes a neighbor's estate in relation to a particular property is "dominant." This term is used in the context of easements, where the dominant estate refers to the property that benefits from an easement, allowing its owner certain rights over the adjacent servient estate.

For instance, if a property owner has an easement that allows them to cross their neighbor's land to access a road, their property is considered the dominant estate. The neighbor's property, which the easement affects and allows the right of use, is referred to as the servient estate. Understanding this distinction is crucial for comprehending property rights and obligations involving neighboring parcels.

The term "servient" refers specifically to the estate that is burdened by the easement, making it less applicable as a descriptor for the neighbor's estate in this scenario. "Encroachment" pertains to the unauthorized extension of one property onto another, and "easement" itself is a legal right to use another's land for a specific purpose, rather than a description of the neighbor's estate. Therefore, "dominant" accurately captures the relationship of one property benefiting from another.