In real estate law, a remainder is a future interest in property that becomes possessory after the termination of a prior estate, such as a life estate. It is created at the same time as the prior estate and is intended to take effect automatically when that estate ends.
A remainder represents a future possessory interest in real property rather than an immediate right of possession. The holder of the remainder has no present control over the property but is assured ownership once the preceding estate terminates.
