Lease From Life Tenant Expires on Life Tenant's Demise

Olmsted v. Nodland, 828 N.E.2d 338 (Ill. App. 2005)

Nodland leased farm ground from a life tenant on a cash basis. The life tenant died in 2003, and the sole remainderman served a notice of termination of the lease on the lessee. The lessee argued he was entitled to farm the ground for the 2004 crop year under the lease. It was held by the court that a life tenant's ownership interest, and any lease thereunder, expires with the death of the life tenant, unless the lease specifically provided otherwise.