What does the term 'dead hand control' refer to in estate planning?

The term 'dead hand control' in estate planning refers to the ability of a testator to control how their property is used or managed after their death. This concept allows individuals to impose conditions or restrictions on their beneficiaries regarding the use of inherited property, thereby exerting influence even after they have passed away.

This control can manifest in various ways, such as requiring beneficiaries to use the property in a specific manner, preventing them from selling it, or mandating that certain conditions are met before they can inherit. The emphasis on posthumous influence is a key characteristic of dead hand control.

The other options reflect different aspects of property transfer or state involvement, but they do not encompass the specific notion of controlling property use post-death, which is central to understanding dead hand control.