What happens to a life estate when it ends?

What happens to a life estate when it ends?

• A. Ownership reverts to grantor
• B. Ownership passes to heirs
• C. Ownership reverts to grantor or passes to remainderman
• D. Property becomes public domain

Answer: (C)

Life estates grant ownership for a specific life, and they end when that life ends. At termination, the future interest determines who owns the property next. If the grantor kept a reversion, ownership goes back to the grantor. If the grantor created a remainder for someone else, that remainderman becomes the owner. The life tenant’s heirs don’t automatically receive the property, and the property doesn’t become public domain.

Life estates grant ownership for a specific life, and they end when that life ends. At termination, the future interest determines who owns the property next. If the grantor kept a reversion, ownership goes back to the grantor. If the grantor created a remainder for someone else, that remainderman becomes the owner. The life tenant’s heirs don’t automatically receive the property, and the property doesn’t become public domain.