LIFE TENANT

life tenant.A person who, until death, is beneficially entitled to property; the holder of a life estate. — Also termed tenant for life; life-owner. See life estate under ESTATE(1). [Cases: Life Estates  1. C.J.S. Estates §§ 28–29, 31, 34.]

equitable life tenant.A life tenant not automatically entitled to possession but who makes an election allowed by law to a person of that status — such as a spouse — and to whom a court will normally grant possession if security or an undertaking is given. [Cases: Life Estates  1, 6. C.J.S. Estates §§ 28–29, 31, 34, 54.]

legal life tenant.A life tenant who is automatically entitled to possession by virtue of a legal estate. [Cases: Life Estates  1. C.J.S. Estates §§ 28–29, 31, 34.]
[Blacks Law 8th]