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Real Property LawEstates And InterestsHARD

An owner grants land 'to Maria for life, then to her children, but if the land is ever used for commercial purposes, the grantor may re-enter and take it back.' What interest does Maria hold?

Correct Answer

B) A life estate subject to a condition subsequent, with a right of re-entry

Words such as 'but if', followed by an express right for the grantor to re-enter, create a condition subsequent: Maria's life estate continues until the grantor acts on a breach by re-entering. A determinable interest uses words of duration such as 'while' or 'so long as' and ends automatically, leaving a possibility of reverter. Ontario's Perpetuities Act recognizes both a right of re-entry for a condition subsequent and a possibility of reverter on a determinable interest.

Answer Options
A
A life estate pur autre vie, measured by the grantor's own life
B
A life estate subject to a condition subsequent, with a right of re-entry
C
A fee simple absolute, because the remainder cannot be restricted
D
A determinable life estate that ends automatically, with a possibility of reverter

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Key Terms

life estatecondition subsequentright of re-entrydeterminable estatepossibility of reverter
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