Legal Definitions - en vie

En vie is a legal term originating from Law French that means alive or in life. It is used to confirm that a person is currently living, which is often a critical factor in determining legal rights, responsibilities, or the validity of certain legal arrangements.

Here are some examples of how "en vie" applies in legal contexts:

• Inheritance and Wills: A will might state that a specific inheritance is to be given to a beneficiary only if they are "en vie" at the time the person making the will passes away. For instance, if a will stipulates that a family heirloom goes to a niece, but only if the niece is en vie when the will's creator dies, then the niece must be living at that exact moment to receive the heirloom. If she had passed away before the will's creator, the condition would not be met.

• Life Estates in Property: In property law, a "life estate" grants someone the right to use and occupy a property for the duration of their lifetime. The legal term "en vie" defines the period during which this right exists. For example, a parent might grant their child a life estate in a vacation home, meaning the child can live in or use the home as long as they are en vie. Upon the child's death, the life estate terminates, and the property typically passes to another designated heir.

• Annuity Payments: Many financial products, such as annuities, involve regular payments made to an individual for as long as they live. The obligation of the financial institution to continue making these payments is directly tied to the annuitant being "en vie." If a retired individual receives monthly payments from an annuity, these payments will continue only as long as the individual remains en vie. The payments cease upon their death.