National Real Estate Exam (PSI)Property OwnershipMedium
A grantor conveys a life estate 'to Maria for the life of her mother, Elena.' Maria dies before Elena. What happens to the property interest?
- AMaria's heirs continue to hold the estate until Elena dies
- BThe property automatically transfers to Elena
- CThe estate ends immediately upon Maria's death
- DThe remainderman takes possession immediately
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Maria's heirs continue to hold the estate until Elena dies
This is a life estate pur autre vie, measured by the life of a third person (Elena), not the life tenant (Maria). If Maria dies first, her interest passes to her heirs or estate, who hold it only until Elena dies.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Elena is only the measuring life, not automatically the owner.
- C. The estate is measured by Elena's life, not Maria's, so it doesn't end at Maria's death.
- D. The remainderman only takes possession when the measuring life (Elena) ends.
Life Estate Pur Autre Vie
A life estate measured by the lifetime of someone other than the life tenant; if the life tenant dies first, the estate passes to heirs until the measuring life ends.
- Measuring life is a third party, not the life tenant
- Interest is inheritable until the measuring life ends
- Remainder or reversion takes effect only when measuring life ends
Memory trick: The clock keeps ticking on someone else's life, even if the tenant dies first.