Which of the following best describes a fee tail?

A fee tail is a type of property interest specifically designed to ensure that the property is passed down through lineal descendants, meaning it can only be inherited by direct descendants such as children, grandchildren, and so forth. This type of ownership seeks to keep the property within a certain family lineage and prevents the property from being sold or devised to people who are not direct descendants.

By limiting inheritance to lineal descendants, a fee tail establishes an enduring family connection to the property, which can impact estate planning and inheritance strategies. The intent behind this type of estate is to maintain control over the property's future ownership and to ensure it remains within a particular bloodline.

This is contrasted with other property interests such as life estates or leasehold interests, which do not have the same restrictions concerning heirs or descendants. Understanding the unique characteristics of a fee tail helps clarify the importance of lineage in property inheritance.