Which statement is TRUE regarding a life estate?
Correct Answer
C) It may be created by will or by deed.
A life estate is a freehold estate measured by a life, and it may be created either by a deed delivered during the grantor's lifetime or by a will taking effect at death. The measuring life need not be the life tenant's own; an estate for the life of another person is a recognized form. While the estate lasts the life tenant may sell, lease or encumber what is held, though nothing conveyed can outlast the measuring life, and the life tenant's carrying duties run to taxes, ordinary upkeep and interest on existing loans rather than to principal.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Deep Analysis of This Property Ownership Land Use Controls Question
Background Knowledge for Property Ownership Land Use Controls
Real World Application in Property Ownership Land Use Controls
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Property Ownership Land Use Controls Questions
Related Topics & Key Terms
Related Topics:
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
A freehold estate represents ownership of real property with an indefinite duration.
A life estate is a freehold estate that grants ownership rights for the duration of someone's life.
Real property is immovable land and anything permanently attached to it, while personal property (also called chattels) is movable.
More Property Ownership Land Use Controls Questions
Which of the following words is NOT associated with the others in the group?
An owner sold a parcel of real estate to a buyer with the stipulation that the buyer was not allowed to sell alcohol from the premises. The buyer sold the property 10 years later to a buyer who converted the building into a convenience store that sold beer. Should the owner or owner’s heirs claim a right of re-entry, what would be the basis for the lawsuit?
Which of these activities can the owner of a life estate NOT do?
The highest form of property ownership in the United States is:
In California, which form of co-ownership is available ONLY to married couples or registered domestic partners?
- → A plot plan is drawn by an architect to show:
- → Diana lives in her California home, which has a fair market value of $900,000 and a mortgage balance of $500,000. Assume the homestead exemption that applies to her is $300,000. A judgment creditor obtains a court order for a forced sale. What is the MOST likely outcome?
- → A developer in California proposes building in an area designated as a 'special flood hazard area' on the FEMA flood map. Under California law, what additional requirement applies to development in this area?
- → Ceiling tiles that drop into a metal frame attached to a building are considered
- → A California homeowner contracts with a general contractor for a $500,000 home renovation. The homeowner properly records a notice of completion on July 1. A subcontractor who served a valid preliminary 20-day notice records a mechanics' lien on September 5. Under California law, is the mechanics' lien valid?
- → Under the Davis-Stirling Act, a California HOA wants to increase regular monthly assessments by 25% for the upcoming year. What approval is required?
- → A California landowner divides a 10-acre parcel into six lots and sells two of them without first recording the map the Subdivision Map Act requires. Under the Map Act, what are the consequences of those sales?
- → Under California's Permit Streamlining Act, a local agency must approve or deny a development project application within specified timeframes. If the agency fails to act within the deadline for a project that requires an EIR, what happens?
- → A California deed reads: 'I grant to John Smith the property at 123 Main St, Sacramento, CA.' No additional language specifies the type of estate being conveyed. What estate does John receive?
- → A California city enacts a zoning ordinance that eliminates all economically beneficial use of a private property. The owner files a takings claim. Which of the following correctly states the city's legal obligation?
People Also Study
Buyer Representation Agreement
8% of exam
Property Ownership
10% of exam
Land Use Controls and Regulations
8% of exam
Valuation and Market Analysis
10% of exam
Related Articles
Property Flyer Generator — 2026 Guide for U.S. Agents: Step-by-Step + Best Practices
Learn how Property Flyer Generator works and how U.S. real estate agents use it in 2026. Includes setup steps, practical examples, and best-practice tips.
Real Estate Exam Property Ownership & Title (2026): Deeds, Liens, Encumbrances + Practice Questions
Understand deeds, liens, encumbrances, and ownership types with exam-style practice questions and traps.
Why Real Estate Property Description Questions Get Easier Once You Sort Boundaries, Measurements, and Legal Meaning
A topic that feels clear in notes can still fail in practice if recall has not caught up with recognition. If you are searching for real estate property...