Property
Life Estate
Definition
A life estate is an ownership interest in property that lasts for the duration of a person's life (typically the grantee's). The life tenant has the right to possess, use, and enjoy the property but must not commit waste — acts that permanently diminish the property's value. Upon the life tenant's death, the property passes to the remainderman (if a remainder was created) or reverts to the grantor (reversion). Life estates can be measured by the life of someone other than the tenant (pur autre vie).
Example
O conveys Blackacre "to A for life, then to B." A has a life estate and B has a vested remainder in fee simple absolute.