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LSDefine
Simple English definitions for legal terms
tail
Read a random definition: borough
A quick definition of tail:
A tail is a special way of owning property that means it can only be passed down to certain family members, usually children or grandchildren. There are different types of tails, like general tail which can go to any child, or special tail which can only go to a specific child from a specific parent. Some tails are only for boys or only for girls. It's like a special rule for who can inherit the property.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A type of estate limitation that allows inheritance only by the fee owner's issue or a specific class of issue.
There are different types of tails:
- FEE TAIL: A tail that designates the fee owner's direct descendants as the only eligible heirs.
- TAIL FEMALE: A limitation to female heirs.
- TAIL MALE: A limitation to male heirs.
- TAIL GENERAL: A tail that designates the fee owner's issue, but not necessarily the issue of a specific couple.
- TAIL SPECIAL: A tail that designates specific heirs of the fee owner's body.
For example, if a landowner creates a fee tail that limits inheritance to their direct descendants, only their children, grandchildren, and so on can inherit the property. If the landowner creates a tail female, only female descendants can inherit. If they create a tail male, only male descendants can inherit.
These types of estate limitations were common in the past but are now rare. They were used to keep property within a family and prevent it from being sold or transferred to outsiders.