What type of estate is limited to the duration of a measuring life?

A life estate is a type of estate that lasts for the duration of an individual's life. This means that the owner of a life estate has the right to use and enjoy the property for as long as they are alive. Upon the death of the individual, the property is then passed to another party, which may be specified in the original agreement or deed.

In this context, a life estate is distinguished from other forms of ownership because it does not grant ownership of the property indefinitely, but rather ties the ownership and rights to the lifespan of a living person. The life tenant can benefit from the property, but their rights expire with their life.

While a legal life estate is a recognized form of life estate tied to specific legal considerations, and pur autre vie refers to a life estate measured by the life of someone other than the life tenant, the primary answer that encapsulates the core definition of an estate based on an individual’s lifespan is simply termed a life estate. Remainder interest refers to the interest that takes effect after a life estate has ended, but it does not describe the estate itself. Therefore, the correct answer that directly and simply answers the question of an estate limited to the duration of a measuring life is a life estate.