What type of life estate is created by a function of law instead of the desires of a property owner?

A legal life estate is created by operation of law, meaning that it arises from statutes or legal frameworks instead of being established by the explicit wishes of a property owner. This type of life estate typically involves scenarios such as dower rights, which provide a surviving spouse certain rights to a deceased spouse's property, or a homestead exemption, which protects a certain amount of property from creditors.

In contrast to a legal life estate, a regular life estate is created intentionally by a property owner through a deed or will, specifying how the property will be used and managed during an individual's lifetime. Pur autre vie is a specific type of life estate that is based on the life of someone other than the life tenant. Lastly, a remainder interest refers to a future interest in a property that will take effect after the termination of a prior interest, which does not pertain directly to the concept of a life estate created by law.