How long does a life estate last?

A life estate is a legal term used in property law, referring to an interest in real estate that lasts for the duration of a person's life. Therefore, the correct answer states that a life estate lasts until the tenant dies. This means that the individual who holds the life estate has the right to use and benefit from the property during their lifetime, but ownership cannot be transferred to heirs or sold; it exists solely as long as they are alive. Upon their death, the property automatically transitions to the remaindermen or designated parties, as specified in the estate arrangement.

This concept is fundamental in estate planning and property law, highlighting the distinction between different types of property interests and their durations. Other possibilities like indefinite duration or specific timeframes do not reflect the nature of a life estate, which is intrinsically tied to the life of the tenant.