When does a life estate typically end?

A life estate is a form of property ownership that lasts for the duration of an individual's life. When the owner of a life estate passes away, their interest in the property ceases immediately. This characteristic is foundational to the nature of a life estate; it is inherently tied to the life of the individual who holds it. After the death of the life tenant, the property will typically revert to a remainderman, who is designated to inherit the property upon the conclusion of the life estate.

The other options do not align with this principle. A sale of the property does not terminate the life estate; typically, the new owner steps into the shoes of the life tenant but cannot alter the nature of the life estate. Similarly, transferring the property to heirs occurs after the life estate has ended. Lastly, a life estate is not contingent upon a specified time frame; rather, it is solely dependent upon the life of the designated individual. Understanding these defining characteristics helps clarify when a life estate is concluded.