more life estate questions

[theeman]

If a life tenant abandons the property, after so long do they lose there life estate, and exactly how long would it be before you could take action if your the owner?

[randalljd]

If you can show a court they have abandoned it, a court will rule it finished even now.

[OHlandlord]

This depends on the state. Some states have statutes that address abandoned property and those states recognize abandonment according to the regulations and rules set forth in the statute. You must follow the procedures in the statute to officially declare the place abandoned. Other states do not recognize abandonment and have no written definition of it. In those states your best course of action is to file an official eviction case against the abandoning tenant to return possession to you. Check your state laws for a section or statute on abandonment of property.