Fee Simple Absolute

A fee simple absolute is an estate of potentially infinite duration with no conditions or limitations. It is freely transferable inter vivos, devisable by will, and descendible by intestacy. Words of limitation ('and his heirs') are no longer required at common law.

Related Present Estates & Future Interests rules

• Defeasible Fees — OverviewA defeasible fee is a fee simple that may be terminated upon the occurrence of a stated event. The three types are:…
• Fee Simple DeterminableA fee simple determinable automatically terminates and reverts to the grantor upon occurrence of a stated event.…
• Fee Simple Subject to Condition SubsequentA fee simple subject to condition subsequent does not automatically terminate upon breach; the grantor must exercise a…
• Fee Simple Subject to Executory LimitationA fee simple subject to executory limitation automatically terminates upon occurrence of a stated event and passes to…
• Life EstateA life estate is an estate measured by the life of the holder (life tenant) or another person (estate pur autre vie).…
• Remainders — Vested and ContingentA remainder is a future interest in a third party that becomes possessory upon natural expiration of the prior estate.…
• Executory InterestsAn executory interest is a future interest in a third party that cuts short a prior estate rather than following its…
• Reversion and Possibility of ReverterA reversion is a future interest retained by the grantor when the grantor conveys less than the full estate. A…

Part of Real Property on Core Legal Rules — foundational MBE-tested principles with primary-source citations.