The return of land to the grantor or grant- or’s heirs when the grant is over is BEST described as
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remainder.
A remainder is a future interest granted to a third party — not the original grantor — that takes effect when a prior limited estate ends; for example, 'to A for life, then to B' gives B a remainder, not a reversion.
reversion.
kickback.
A kickback is an illegal payment or commission rebate, typically associated with RESPA violations in mortgage and settlement services; it has absolutely no connection to the transfer or return of property interests.
surrender.
Surrender is the voluntary relinquishment of a leasehold or other lesser estate by the tenant or holder back to the landlord before the term expires; it requires an affirmative act by both parties and is not an automatic legal operation.
Why is this correct?
Reversion is the legally precise term for the return of a property interest to the grantor (or grantor's heirs) upon the natural termination of a lesser estate, such as a life estate or fee tail. Under California property law, consistent with common-law principles codified in Civil Code §769 et seq., when a life estate ends at the life tenant's death, the property automatically reverts to the original grantor without any new deed or action required. This automatic return is the defining characteristic of reversion, making option B the best and most accurate description.
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