A life estate will last until:

• A. Upon sale of the property
• B. The Death of the recipient
• C. The grantor's death
• D. When the life estate ends

Answer: (B)

A life estate lasts for the duration of a specific person’s life—the measuring life. Because that life is the recipient, the estate ends when the recipient dies. The grantor’s death doesn’t determine the end; instead, at the life tenant’s death the property passes to the designated remainderman or reverts to the grantor, as specified. The life tenant can sell or lease during their lifetime, but those actions don’t extend the estate beyond the life tenant’s death. So, the correct answer is that the life estate ends at the death of the recipient.