If I may say so, mrgardnr, this seems to be the key sentence in Polar's helpful explanation that you have perhaps overlooked:
The grantor typically is the same person who holds the life estate.
Whereas you seem to be asking whether the person who will ultimately take possession of the property becomes immediately liable for its upkeep on signature of the deed. To which Polarbear's answer is, normally no. But if the wording of the deed is not clear, or if you're not happy with it, hadn't you better go back to the person who drafted it and check before you sign?
The person who holds the life estate can live in or keep possession of the property until death and continue to pay all expenses. The grantor typically is the same person who holds the life estate.
For example, your parents own their home and want to give it to you when they die. They can create a life estate deed whereas they, as grantors, grant themselves the life estate interest which gives them the right to possession, and grant you the ownership title of the house but no right to possession until they die.
When the person with the life estate interest passes away, the person who has title to the property can now take full possession and will be responsible for all expenses.
Here's a link to an article with more information.
You didn't read my question. I understand who pays what after death. Does the person who has the life estate start paying for those items while the grantor is still alive ? The way the paper reads is he starts paying once the deed is signed and doesnt wait for the death of the grantor
The grantor typically is the same person who holds the life estate.
Whereas you seem to be asking whether the person who will ultimately take possession of the property becomes immediately liable for its upkeep on signature of the deed. To which Polarbear's answer is, normally no. But if the wording of the deed is not clear, or if you're not happy with it, hadn't you better go back to the person who drafted it and check before you sign?
For example, your parents own their home and want to give it to you when they die. They can create a life estate deed whereas they, as grantors, grant themselves the life estate interest which gives them the right to possession, and grant you the ownership title of the house but no right to possession until they die.
When the person with the life estate interest passes away, the person who has title to the property can now take full possession and will be responsible for all expenses.
Here's a link to an article with more information.
estateplanning.com/what-is-life-estate/