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When does a life estate measured by the life of the holder (life tenant) terminate?

Correct Answer

B) Upon the death of the measuring life (the life tenant)

A life estate terminates upon the death of the person whose life measures the estate — typically the life tenant. At that point, ownership passes automatically to the remainderman (if a remainder was granted) or reverts to the original grantor (or their heirs) if a reversion was retained. The life tenant cannot sell a fee simple interest, only their life estate interest.

Answer Options
A
When the life tenant sells the property
B
Upon the death of the measuring life (the life tenant)
C
After 99 years, regardless of whether the life tenant is still living
D
When the remainderman requests possession of the property

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Related Topics:

remainder interestreversionpur autre viefreehold estateswaste

Key Terms:

life estatelife tenantremaindermanmeasuring lifereversionfreehold estate

Related Concepts

Condominium ownership involves owning a unit of airspace within a multi-unit building plus an undivided interest in the common elements shared with other unit owners. Each unit is separately taxed and financed.

In a cooperative (co-op), the building is owned by a corporation, and residents purchase shares of stock in the corporation that entitle them to a proprietary lease on a specific unit. Residents are shareholders, not property owners.

Fee simple absolute is the highest and most complete form of property ownership, giving the owner unrestricted rights to use, possess, enjoy, and dispose of the property. It is of unlimited duration and fully inheritable.

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