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fee sim·ple n pl fees simple [simple without limitation (as to heirs) and unrestricted (as to transfer of ownership)]: a fee that is alienable (as by deed, will, or intestacy) and of potentially indefinite duration; esp: fee simple absolute in this entryfee simple absolute: a fee that is freely inheritable and alienable without any limitations or restrictions on transfers and that is of indefinite duration◇ A fee simple absolute is conveyed by language granting the estate “to the grantee and his or her heirs,” “to the grantee, his heirs and assigns,” or “to the grantee.” The term heirs is considered in this context a word of limitation, and so this does not create a future interest in the estate in the heirs but simply makes the estate freely alienable.fee simple conditional: a fee granted to an individual and to that individual's descendants which is subject to a reversion or remainder if the grantee has no lineal descendants but which becomes a fee simple absolute and freely alienable upon the birth of a direct descendant see also de donis conditionalibus in the important laws section compare fee tail at fee◇ The fee simple conditional is not recognized in England or the United States except in South Carolina.fee simple determinable: a defeasible fee that automatically terminates upon the occurrence of a specified event or condition and which reverts to the grantor compare estate on condition at estate◇ A fee simple determinable is conveyed by language which states that the estate automatically terminates and reverts to the grantor, and which expresses duration (“so long as,” “until,” “during the time that”).fee simple on condition sub·se·quent /-'səb-si-kwənt/: a defeasible fee that may be terminated by the grantor or assigns upon the occurrence of an event – called also fee simple subject to condition subsequent;◇ A fee simple on condition subsequent is conveyed by language that creates a right of entry or power of termination in the grantor and that expresses condition (“on condition that,” “provided that”).in fee simple: under title that creates a fee simple (as a fee simple absolute)entitled him to ownership of the disputed property in fee simple — National Law Journal
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.
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n.Complete ownership of a property, with no time limit or restrictions on what can be done with it, that will pass to the owner’s heirs if he or she dies intestate; also called fee simple absolute.
The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Amy Hackney Blackwell. 2008.
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An old term meaning complete ownership of real estate. Owners with fee simple have no legal restrictions on their freedom sell the property, give it away, or leave it at death. it is sometimes used in real estate deeds, as in "Harry Hernandez grants to Roberta Irving title in fee simple . . ." Compare: fee tailCategory: Real Estate & Rental Property → Buying a HouseCategory: Real Estate & Rental Property → Selling a House
Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. Gerald N. Hill, Kathleen Thompson Hill. 2009.
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Fee simple absolute in possession. A freehold interest in land.
Practical Law Dictionary. Glossary of UK, US and international legal terms. www.practicallaw.com. 2010.
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n. At common law, the broadest possible ownership interest in real estate, inheritable by any heir of the owner.@ fee simple absoluteA fee simple with no conditions placed upon it and that will endure as long as there are descendants of the original owner to inherit it.@ fee simple defeasibleA fee simple that is terminable despite the existence of heirs, because of the occurrence of a particular event or condition.@ fee simple determinableA fee simple that terminates and reverts to the grantor upon the occurrence of a particular event or condition; commonly a grant of property to be used for charitable purposes and that reverts if no longer used in this way.@
Webster's New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000.
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The greatest possible estate in land, wherein the owner has the right to use it, exclusively possess it, commit waste upon it, dispose of it by deed or will, and take its fruits. A fee simple represents absolute ownership of land, and therefore the owner may do whatever he or she chooses with the land. If an owner of a fee simple dies intestate, the land will descend to the heirs.
Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.
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The greatest possible estate in land, wherein the owner has the right to use it, exclusively possess it, commit waste upon it, dispose of it by deed or will, and take its fruits. A fee simple represents absolute ownership of land, and therefore the owner may do whatever he or she chooses with the land. If an owner of a fee simple dies intestate, the land will descend to the heirs.
Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.
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n.absolute title to land, free of any other claims against the title, which one can sell or pass to another by will or inheritance. This is a redundant form of "fee," but is used to show the fee (absolute title) is not a "conditional fee," or "determinable fee," or "fee tail." Like "fee" it is often used in deeds transferring title, as in "Harry Hadit grants to Robert Gotit title in fee simple:" or similar words.See also: fee
Law dictionary. EdwART. 2013.
