In which type of life estate does property ownership revert to the original owner after the life estate holder's death?

The type of life estate where property ownership reverts to the original owner after the life estate holder's death is known as an ordinary life estate with reversion. In this arrangement, a property is granted to an individual for their lifetime, and upon their passing, the ownership of the property automatically returns to the original owner or their heirs. This ensures that the property remains within the intended family or group rather than being passed on to someone else unrelated.

In contrast, a life estate pur autre vie is contingent upon the life of someone other than the life tenant, meaning that the property would also revert in a similar manner after the referenced person passes away but with different considerations. A dower estate is a form of legal provision given to a widow, allowing her a life interest in her husband's property, which functions differently from a traditional life estate. Lastly, a fee simple subject to condition involves ownership that can terminate upon the breach of a specified condition, but this does not directly relate to the concept of life estates or reversion. Understanding these distinctions highlights why an ordinary life estate with reversion is the correct choice as it specifically describes the reverting nature of ownership after the life tenant's death.