If a land owner dies and the property goes to a relative of the grantee instead of the original grantor, what type of interest is this?

In this scenario, the situation describes a transfer of property interest that takes place after the death of the original owner, where the property is conveyed to a relative of the grantee rather than returning to the grantor. This aligns with the concept of a remainder interest.

A remainder interest arises when an owner transfers property to one party (the grantee) for a certain duration or upon a specific condition, with the property automatically passing to a designated third party (the remainderman) once that condition or time period has ended. In this case, when the original owner dies, the relative of the grantee is the one who will inherit the property, indicating that this relative is the remainderman who receives the property after the life estate held by the grantee has concluded.

This is distinct from a reversion interest, where the property returns to the original grantor upon completion of a condition. A life estate conveys an interest for the duration of a person’s life, without specifying how the property would transition afterward. Fee simple absolute represents the most complete ownership of property without conditions or limitations.

Understanding these definitions helps clarify that the correct response pertains to the nature of future interests that are specified in the original grant.