When a life estate is disclaimed, what is the effect on the remainder interest?

When a life estate is disclaimed, the remainder interest that follows the life estate is typically accelerated. This means that the ownership rights of the remainder interest become effective sooner than they would have if the life estate were in effect. Since the life tenant is no longer able to take possession of the property, the remainder interests are transferred directly to the remainderman without delay.

In this context, the acceleration of the remainder interest occurs because disclaiming the life estate means that the life tenant has opted out of any interest, allowing the remainderman to gain immediate access to the property. Thus, the intention of the grantor of the life estate and remainder is fulfilled more swiftly, allowing the remainder beneficiaries to assume control over the property without having to wait until the life tenant's death or the happening of another event that would normally terminate the life estate.