Life estate: Right of a tenant to use land during his lifetime. The estate reverts to the grantor (or some other person) on the death of the life tenant. A property right which lasts until the life tenant dies is called an estate pur sa vie (French: for his life). If it is for the duration of the life of a third party, it is called an estate pur autre vie (French: for another”s life). The life tenant is not allowed permanently to change the land or structures on it.
