Also known as estate property. All tangible and intangible assets owned by a debtor at the commencement of a bankruptcy proceeding including intellectual property rights, tax attributes, stock options and causes of action. It excludes abandoned property, exempt property, property acquired by the debtor postpetition, spendthrift trusts, ERISA qualified retirement plans and 401(k) plans.

A debtor-in-possession or trustee may use, sell or lease property of the estate in the ordinary course of business, but any such action other than in the ordinary course of business requires court approval after notice to creditors and other interested parties. Only property of the estate may be used to pay creditors' claims.

For more information, see Practice Notes, Property of the Estate: Overview and Property of the Estate: Special Intangible Property Interests.