property

fee simple determinable

A fee simple determinable is a defeasible fee estate that lasts only as long as a stated condition is met. It uses durational words such as "so long as," "while," or "during." If the condition is broken, ownership automatically ends and reverts to the grantor or the grantor's heirs, who hold a possibility of reverter. No court action or re-entry is needed for the estate to terminate.

Exam tip
Key words: "so long as" or "while" means determinable with automatic reversion. "On condition that" or "provided that" means fee simple subject to condition subsequent, where the grantor must act to reclaim.
Example
A donor deeds land to a town "so long as it is used as a park"; if the town builds offices there, title automatically returns to the donor.

Related terms & state variants

Sources

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Last verified: 2026-10-23