- conditional fee
- A common-law estate in land, otherwise known as a fee conditional or fee simple conditional, distinctive by reason of the limitation to particular heirs, exclusive of others, as a grant to a named person and "the heirs of his body," or, in the case of a special conditional fee, to a named person and "the male heirs of his body." 28 Am J2d Est § 38. If the donee had no heirs of his body, or no male heirs of the body, as the case might be, the estate reverted to the donor; but if the condition as to heirs was fulfilled by birth of issue, this was such performance as rendered the estate of the donee absolute; at least he could alien, he might forfeit, he might charge the land with rents or other encumbrances which would bind the issue. To prevent a reversion to the donor it was usual for such tenants, as soon as they had performed the condition by having heirs, to alien the land and then repurchase, taking an absolute estate which would descend to their heirs general. It was to defeat this practice that the Statute de Donis Conditionalibus was passed. 28 Am J2d Est § 38. See de donis.
Ballentine's law dictionary. Anderson, W.S.. 1998.