NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying Practice Exam

Which estate allows for ownership during someone's lifetime?

1. Defeasible fee simple estate

2. Life Estate

3. Fee Simple Absolute

4. Fee tail

The correct answer is: Life Estate

A life estate is a type of property ownership that grants an individual the right to use and occupy the property for the duration of their lifetime. Upon the death of the life tenant, the ownership of the property does not continue with the life tenant’s heirs; instead, the property reverts back to the grantor or passes to a designated third party, known as the remainderman. This legal arrangement creates a clear and limited span of ownership—specifically, tied to the lifespan of the life tenant. In contrast, a defeasible fee simple estate allows for property ownership with potential conditions that could lead to the estate being terminated if those conditions are violated. Fee Simple Absolute represents complete ownership of the property without any limitations or conditions, enduring until the owner decides to transfer or sell it. A fee tail estate, meanwhile, restricts inheritance to specific heirs, generally the lineal descendants of the original owner, but it does not limit the ownership to a lifetime. Thus, the life estate stands out clearly as the correct answer, as it uniquely defines ownership that is bound to an individual's life span.