What is a primary characteristic of a life estate?

A primary characteristic of a life estate is that it lasts for the lifetime of the individual who holds the estate, known as the life tenant. This means that the rights to the property are granted for the duration of that person's life. Once the life tenant passes away, the property does not become part of their estate but instead reverts to the original grantor or passes to a designated remainderman, who has a vested interest in the property after the life tenant's death. This setup creates a temporary ownership arrangement that focuses on the life span of the holder rather than an unlimited duration, which is typical of full ownership properties like fee simple estates. Life estates can also come with specific conditions and limitations tied to the life tenant's use of the property, reinforcing that their rights are not entirely akin to those of a full owner.