Does a life estate always pass to a remainderman?

A life estate does not always pass to a remainderman because a life estate is limited to the duration of the individual's life who holds it. The individual may transfer their interest in the property in various ways, impacting whether the remainderman ultimately receives the property.

For instance, if the life tenant sells or encumbers the property, it may alter the intended transfer to the remainderman. Additionally, if the life estate is created under certain conditions or terminates prematurely (due to reasons such as the life tenant's legal issues), the remainderman may not receive the property as expected. The intention of the original grantor and the specific provisions made in the deed or will can also affect the outcome. Thus, passing to a remainderman is contingent on specific factors surrounding the life estate itself.