Legal Definitions - descendibility of future interests

Definition: The legal ability for a future interest, such as a remainder or an executory interest, to be passed down through inheritance.

Example: John owns a piece of land and grants a life estate to his sister, Mary. After Mary's death, the land will pass to John's son, Tom. Tom's interest in the land is a future interest, specifically a remainder. If Tom dies before Mary, his interest in the land can be inherited by his children or other heirs. This is an example of the descendibility of future interests.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a future interest, in this case a remainder, can be passed down through inheritance. Even if Tom dies before Mary, his interest in the land can still be inherited by his heirs. This legal possibility is known as the descendibility of future interests.