How is the duration of a life estate defined?

The duration of a life estate is defined specifically by the life of a particular individual, known as the measuring life. This means that the rights to the property under a life estate are granted for the duration of that person's lifetime. Once the individual passes away, the life estate terminates, and the property typically reverts to the grantor or passes on to a designated remainder beneficiary, depending on the terms of the estate. This structure is commonly used in estate planning to control how property is distributed after a person's death while allowing a specific individual to benefit from the property during their lifetime.

The other options refer to concepts that do not accurately capture how a life estate is defined. The lifespan of the property itself is not relevant, as property does not have a lifespan in the same way that a person does. Grantor's heirs play a role in determining what happens to the property after the life estate ends, but they do not define the duration of the life estate itself. Setting a period in the deed doesn't align with the nature of a life estate, as the duration is specifically bound to the life of an individual, not a predetermined time frame.