springing executory interest

springing executory interest (plural springing executory interests)

1. (law) An interest in an estate in land created by the conditions of a grant wherein the grantor cuts short the grantor's own interest in the property in favor of the grantee, contingent upon the occurrence of a specific condition.

   Joe gives land "to Harry, if Harry graduates from law school". Harry has an springing executory interest because his graduation from law school directly divests Joe of ownership.

• defeasible fee
• fee simple subject to executory interest
• fee simple subject to executory limitation
• shifting executory interest