What is the definition of a life estate?

A life estate is defined as an interest in real property that is limited to the duration of the life of a specified individual, commonly referred to as the life tenant. When the life tenant passes away, their interest in the property terminates, and the property then transfers to another party or reverts back to the original grantor, depending on the terms of the life estate. This characteristic reflects the nature of a life estate, distinguishing it from other forms of property ownership that do not have this temporal limitation. Thus, the definition accurately captures the essence of a life estate as an interest that ends upon the death of the life tenant.