A property owner conveyed land "to Alice for life, then to Bob, if he graduates from law school." Before Bob graduates from law school, Alice dies. Who has the right to possession of the property after Alice's death?
The property reverts to the original property owner while awaiting Bob’s graduation from law school.
The property escheats to the state while awaiting Bob’s fulfillment of the condition.
The property passes to Bob depending on whether he graduates from law school.
The property vests in Bob upon Alice's death if he graduates from law school.
The correct answer is that the property reverts to the original property owner while awaiting Bob’s graduation from law school. Bob’s interest derives from a contingent remainder, which depends on fulfilling the condition precedent—graduating from law school. Since this has not occurred by the time of Alice's death (the termination of her life estate), the property does not pass to Bob. It instead reverts to the grantor, who holds a reversion.
The other answers are incorrect for the following reasons:
The property does not vest in Bob upon Alice's death because his remainder is contingent, not vested, meaning he must graduate law school first.
The property does not pass to Bob depending on whether he graduates law school because he has not yet satisfied the condition precedent at the relevant time.
The property does not escheat to the state in this scenario because escheat occurs only in the absence of heirs or valid interests, and here the grantor holds a reversionary interest.
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