HopefullyInLawSchool
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Simple English definitions for legal terms
legal life tenant
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A quick definition of legal life tenant:
A legal life tenant is a person who has the right to use and benefit from a property until they die. They are also known as a tenant for life or a life-owner. This person is automatically entitled to possession of the property because of their legal ownership. An equitable life tenant, on the other hand, is someone who has the right to use the property but must make an election to do so. They may need to provide security or an undertaking to gain possession.
A more thorough explanation:
A legal life tenant is a person who has the right to use and enjoy a property until their death. They are also known as a tenant for life or a life-owner. This person is entitled to all the benefits of the property during their lifetime, but they cannot sell or transfer the property to someone else.
For example, if John owns a house and gives his sister Jane a life estate in the property, Jane becomes the legal life tenant. She can live in the house and use it as her own until she dies, but she cannot sell the property or give it away to someone else.
Another example is if a husband and wife own a property together, and the husband dies, the wife may become the legal life tenant of the property. She can continue to live in the house and use it as her own until she dies, but she cannot sell the property without the consent of the husband's heirs.
Overall, a legal life tenant has the right to use and enjoy a property during their lifetime, but they do not have the right to sell or transfer the property to someone else.