What happens to a life estate upon the death of the owner?

When a life estate owner passes away, the property reverts back to the original grantor or their heirs. A life estate is a form of ownership that lasts for the duration of a person's life, and once that individual dies, the property is not passed to their heirs but instead returns to the individual who granted the life estate, or to their heirs if the grantor is also deceased. This mechanism is designed to ensure that the life estate does not continue beyond the life of the designated individual and allows the original owner to retain some control over the property even after it is occupied by someone else during their lifetime.

The concept of reversion is crucial in understanding property rights and interests, particularly how estates are structured in real estate law. Therefore, the correct choice highlights an important principle of how a life estate functions at the end of the owner's life.