Legal Definitions - de sa vie

De sa vie is a legal term originating from Law French, meaning "of one's own life." It describes a right, interest, or estate that is granted or held for the duration of the individual's *own* lifetime. This is distinct from a right that lasts for the lifetime of *another person*, which is known as pur autre vie.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Real Estate Life Estate: Imagine a will where a parent leaves their home to their child, but specifies that their spouse (the child's other parent) has the right to live in and use the house for the remainder of the spouse's life. In this scenario, the spouse holds a life estate de sa vie. Their right to occupy the property is tied directly to their own lifespan, and it will terminate upon their death, at which point the child will gain full ownership.

• Personal Annuity Payments: Consider a retirement plan or an insurance policy that provides a fixed monthly payment to a beneficiary. The terms of the plan state that these payments will continue for as long as the beneficiary is alive. The beneficiary receives these payments de sa vie, meaning the duration of the benefit is directly linked to their own life. Once the beneficiary passes away, the payments cease.

• Personal Right of Way: A landowner might grant a specific neighbor a personal right to cross a portion of their property to access a public park. If the agreement explicitly states that this right of way is granted only for the duration of that particular neighbor's life and cannot be transferred or inherited, then the neighbor holds this right de sa vie. The right exists solely for the neighbor and expires upon their death.