Which of the following is a characteristic of a life estate?

A life estate is a type of property ownership that grants an individual the right to use and occupy a property during their lifetime. This right is specifically tied to the lifespan of the individual named in the life estate, meaning that it ceases upon their death. This characteristic distinguishes a life estate from other forms of estate ownership, such as fee simple estates, which do not have limitations tied to an individual's lifetime.

Understanding this concept is crucial for the navigation of property rights, as it underscores the temporary nature of a life estate. Once the individual passes away, the rights to the property typically revert to the original owner or pass to a designated remainderman. Therefore, the key characteristic is that the life estate is inherently linked to the life of the named individual and stops existing upon their death.