NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying Practice Exam

What does a Fee Simple Absolute estate provide to the owner?

1. Limited control of property

2. Complete set of legal rights

3. Temporary ownership

4. Ownership that is always transferable

The correct answer is: Complete set of legal rights

A Fee Simple Absolute estate offers the owner a complete set of legal rights regarding the property. This means that the owner has the highest form of property ownership recognized by law, allowing them to use, lease, sell, or give away the property as they see fit, without any limitations or restrictions on the duration of ownership. This estate grants the owner full control over the property, including the right to make improvements, the ability to pass the property on to heirs, and the right to encumber the property (such as through mortgages or liens). The nature of a Fee Simple Absolute means that it is intended to last indefinitely, and it is not tied to any conditions or time limitations, which distinguishes it from other forms of ownership such as life estates or leaseholds. The other choices define varying degrees of ownership and rights that do not apply to a Fee Simple Absolute estate. For example, limited control of property implies restrictions that do not exist in a Fee Simple Absolute, while temporary ownership suggests a non-permanent interest that contrasts with the indefinite nature of a Fee Simple Absolute. Ownership that is always transferable can apply to various ownership types, but in this context, it does not encompass the breadth of rights and control offered by a Fee Simple Absolute estate,