The owner of a life estate may devise her interests.

The owner of a life estate may devise her interests.

• A. True
• B. Not allowed
• C. Only if the life estate ends
• D. False

Answer: (D)

A life estate gives the holder the right to possess and use the property only for their lifetime; ownership does not pass beyond that life to heirs. Because a life estate ends when the holder dies, they cannot devise it by will—there’s nothing left to pass after death through a will. During their life, the life tenant can transfer or encumber the estate by deed, lease, or mortgage, but a will cannot convey a life estate. Upon the tenant’s death, the property passes to the remainderman or reverts as the original grantor provided. So the statement isn’t correct: devising a life estate by will isn’t allowed.

A life estate gives the holder the right to possess and use the property only for their lifetime; ownership does not pass beyond that life to heirs. Because a life estate ends when the holder dies, they cannot devise it by will—there’s nothing left to pass after death through a will. During their life, the life tenant can transfer or encumber the estate by deed, lease, or mortgage, but a will cannot convey a life estate. Upon the tenant’s death, the property passes to the remainderman or reverts as the original grantor provided. So the statement isn’t correct: devising a life estate by will isn’t allowed.