There are a number of ways to set up a life estate. Most common are life estates that are set up by operation of law (under the Texas probate code) and life estate pursuant to a deed.
The most common life estates under the Texas probate code occur when a person dies without a will (called an intestate death.) In very specific circumstances, a surviving spouse may have a life estate in the deceased spouse’s homestead, with a remainder interest in the deceased’s children.
Otherwise, people may, as part of estate planning, or probate avoidance planning, set up life estates in land, and transfer them by use of a life estate deed.
