Future Interest Rules

This lesson reviews the key aspects of the Merger Rule, the Rule in Shelley's Case and the Doctrine of Worthier Title. These three rules transform future interests in certain types of conveyances and should be learned after one has mastered the classification of estates and future interests and before one studies the Rule Against Perpetuities.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the key aspects of the Merger Rule.
2. Define the Merger Rule.
3. Discuss the exceptions to the Merger Rule.
4. Recognize how the Merger Rule operates.
5. Identify the key aspects of the Rule in Shelly’s Case.
6. Identify the requirements for the Rule in Shelly’s Case to apply.
7. Recognize how the Rule in Shelly’s case operates.
8. Identify the key aspects of the Doctrine of Worthier Title.
9. Define the Doctrine of Worthier Title.
10. Discuss the exceptions to the Doctrine of Worthier Title.
11. Recognize how the Doctrine of Worthier Title operates.