What happens to the ownership interest of a Life Tenant upon their death?

When a Life Tenant dies, their ownership interest in the property automatically transfers to the Remainderman. This transfer occurs because a life estate is a type of property interest that lasts only for the duration of the Life Tenant’s life. Upon their death, the life estate ends, and the property passes to the party designated as the Remainderman, who holds the future interest in the property.

This arrangement is typically established through a deed or will that specifies the creation of a life estate and the remainderman's rights. The Remainderman is then entitled to take full ownership of the property without the need for probate or additional legal action.

In contrast, the other options suggest different scenarios that do not align with the nature of a life estate. For example, the interest does not revert to the state, nor is it inherited by heirs of the Life Tenant, as the ownership is predetermined to go to the Remainderman. Additionally, while a Life Tenant can sometimes sell their interest, this does not affect the ultimate transition of ownership to the Remainderman upon the Life Tenant’s death.