Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: CAPJ
A future interest is a right to possess property in the future. It is different from a present right to property, which is a possessory estate. Future interests can be conditional or unconditional and are created when a defeasible estate is formed. They either take effect after the prior estate ends or cut short the prior estate. A life estate is a type of future interest that results in ownership of the property only after the present possessory estate ends. An executory interest is a future interest that passes the property to a third party when a stated event happens. There are also non-executory interests that return the property to the grantor when a certain condition is triggered. These include the right of entry, which allows the grantor to reclaim the estate voluntarily, and the possibility of reverter, which automatically restores the estate to the grantor if the condition is violated.
In property law, a future interest is the right to possess property in the future. It is different from a present right to property, which is also known as a possessory estate. A future interest can be conditional or unconditional and is created when a defeasible estate is formed. It will either take effect after the natural termination of the prior estate or cut short the prior estate.
These examples illustrate how future interests work in property law. They show that a future interest can be created for various reasons and can be conditional or unconditional. They also show that a future interest can be triggered by a specific event or condition and can pass the property to a third party or return it to the grantor.