What distinguishes a pur autre vie life estate from an ordinary life estate?

What distinguishes a pur autre vie life estate from an ordinary life estate?

• A. The pur autre vie estate endures only for the lifetime of the grantor.
• B. The pur autre vie estate endures only for the lifetime of the grantee.
• C. The pur autre vie estate endures only for the lifetime of a person other than the grantee.
• D. The pur autre vie estate cannot revert to the grantor.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is what life the duration is based on. A pur autre vie life estate is measured by the life of someone other than the person who holds the estate. It ends when that other person dies, even if the holder is still alive. In contrast, an ordinary life estate is measured by the life of the person who holds it, so it ends when that person dies. After the measuring life ends in a pur autre vie arrangement, the property can revert to the grantor or pass to a remainderman. So the correct distinction is that the pur autre vie estate endures only for the lifetime of a person other than the grantee.

The key idea is what life the duration is based on. A pur autre vie life estate is measured by the life of someone other than the person who holds the estate. It ends when that other person dies, even if the holder is still alive. In contrast, an ordinary life estate is measured by the life of the person who holds it, so it ends when that person dies. After the measuring life ends in a pur autre vie arrangement, the property can revert to the grantor or pass to a remainderman. So the correct distinction is that the pur autre vie estate endures only for the lifetime of a person other than the grantee.