Kovats Real Estate School Practice Test

When A dies, and a life estate is conveyed to A for the life of X, who receives the title?

1. X's family

2. A's heirs

3. The state

4. The children

The correct answer is: A's heirs

When A dies, and a life estate is created for the life of X, the title to the property will pass to A's heirs after the life estate terminates. A life estate is a form of property ownership that lasts for the duration of a specific person's life—in this case, the life of X. When X dies, the life estate ends, and the property reverts to A's heirs. This is because A originally held the title but only had a limited interest in the property for as long as X is alive. Once both A and X have passed away, the property is no longer encumbered by the life estate and can be transferred to A’s heirs according to A’s will or state laws regarding inheritance if there is no will. The options regarding X's family, the state, or children are not applicable in this context because the property does not go to these parties until the conditions surrounding A’s interest and the life estate are resolved. Hence, A's heirs are the rightful recipients of the title after the death of A.