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Complete glossary lessonNational exam concept

Remainder

A remainder is a future interest created in a third party that becomes possessory when a prior estate, such as a life estate, naturally ends.

Official area

Property Ownership

Knowledge cluster

Freehold estates and future interests

Learning sequence

Define, distinguish, apply, retrieve

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Exam purpose

Recognize the rule, then reject the nearest look-alike.

Georgia lens

Apply the state distinction only when the facts call for it.

Connected terms

Connected to 4 terms and one official content area.

What does Remainder mean in real estate?

A remainder is a future interest created in a third party that becomes possessory when a prior estate, such as a life estate, naturally ends.

How is Remainder different from the closest exam answer?

A remainder goes to someone other than the grantor. A reversion returns possession to the grantor or the grantor's successors.

What is the Georgia-specific rule?

Read the deed language. Georgia follows the instrument's grant to determine whether the future interest is a remainder or a reversion.

Worked exam example

Scenario

A deed conveys Blackacre to Dana for life, then to Priya. Priya holds the remainder.

Decision rule

A remainder goes to someone other than the grantor. A reversion returns possession to the grantor or the grantor's successors.

What is the most common exam trap?

Trap correction

Do not call every future interest a reversion. Ask who receives possession after the life estate.

Memory cue: Do not call every future interest a reversion.

Original exam check

Apply the definition

Which statement correctly explains Remainder?

Mastery tracker

Do not mark this term complete until you can retrieve it.

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Related terms to learn next

Recommended next complete lesson

Continue with Property Ownership complete lesson. It places this term inside the full rule, worked examples, exam traps, and mixed practice required for mastery.

Remainder quick answers

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Editorial standards.

What is Remainder?

A remainder is a future interest created in a third party that becomes possessory when a prior estate, such as a life estate, naturally ends.

What is Remainder commonly confused with?

A remainder goes to someone other than the grantor. A reversion returns possession to the grantor or the grantor's successors.

How does Georgia treat Remainder?

Read the deed language. Georgia follows the instrument's grant to determine whether the future interest is a remainder or a reversion.