Hello, I have a question regarding a Life Estate.

Generally, if a party sells real estate reserving a life estate, the life estate and the right to possess and use the real property continue for as long as the person lives, regardless of whether they have any ability to use or enjoy the real property. Therefore, your grandmother should not have to move her belongings from the house during her lifetime, even if she never returns to the house.

You should, however, review the sale agreement and the deed by which the property was conveyed to the buyers. You may find that the agreement and/or deed restricted the scope of the life estate, in which case, it may terminate upon your grandmother's failure to live in the property for a specified period of time or her inability to return to the property.

You would be well advised to review the matter with an attorney in Minnesota if possible, in order to be sure that any quirks of local state law are taken into account.

Please be advised that the foregoing discussion is a generalized and hypothetical answer based upon incomplete facts and is not intended to serve as legal advice to you, nor should you regard it as an attorney-client communication or as creating an attorney-client relationship. If you desire legal advice concerning the situation you have described you should contact an attorney who has substantive experience in the fields pertaining to your question.