Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a fee simple estate?

A fee simple estate represents the most complete form of ownership in real property. This type of estate carries with it several key characteristics, which include being transferable to heirs, having unlimited duration, and conferring complete ownership rights.

When considering each of these characteristics, transferability to heirs means that when the owner of a fee simple estate passes away, their rights to the property can be inherited by their heirs, which is a fundamental aspect of property rights. The unlimited duration reflects that the estate lasts indefinitely until it is sold or transferred, with no expiration attached. Furthermore, complete ownership rights imply that the owner has full control over the property, enabling them to use, develop, lease, or sell it as they see fit.

However, the notion of a condition imposed by the grantor does not align with the fee simple estate definition. A fee simple estate can be absolute and unencumbered, or it can be subject to certain conditions or restrictions, leading to the creation of a fee simple subject to a condition subsequent or a fee simple determinable. Nevertheless, a straightforward fee simple estate itself lacks such imposed conditions, setting it apart from other forms of ownership, such as qualified or conditional estates.

Therefore, identifying that a condition imposed by the grantor is