Is life estate tenant responsible for property tax?

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Is life estate tenant responsible for property tax?

I signed a notorized document giving my ex-husband life rights to a piece of land. Is he responsible for property tax? If so, is there a specific code of law? It’s not recorded as a deed; it’s recorded as an instrument.

Asked on February 9, 2017 under Real Estate Law, Alaska

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 7 years ago | Contributor

A life estate tenant has all of the benefits and responsibilites of an owner (other than the right to sell the ptoperty). This means that they have a legal duty to maintain the property and pay the property taxes. Failure to do so is called "waste". And when a life tenant commits waste, that is a legal basis for the remaindermen to sue to have the life estate terminated.  


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