fee tail

• Terme juridique désignant un bien foncier dont la transmission est limitée à une ligne déterminée d'héritiers, généralement les descendants directs du bénéficiaire, et qui ne peut être vendu, légué ou aliéné par le possesseur actuel en dehors de cette ligne.

A legal term referring to an estate in land that is limited to a specific line of heirs, typically the grantee's direct descendants, and cannot be sold, devised, or alienated by the current holder beyond that line.

1. Inheritance restrictionC2formalbritish

   A legal estate in land that is limited to a specific line of heirs, typically the direct descendants of the original owner, and cannot be sold or transferred outside that line.

   Fidéicommis

   • The estate was granted in fee tail, ensuring it passed only to the eldest son.
   • Under the old law, fee tail prevented the land from being divided among multiple heirs.
   • The lawyer explained that the property was held in fee tail, so it could not be sold to a stranger.