Words of Limitation

The words in a deed or will that indicate what type of estate or rights the person being given land receives.

Words of limitation are used to indicate the duration or terms of the conveyance of real property. There are many types of limitations that can be expressed in a deed or a will. For example, a grantor might make a deed that conveys a parcel of land "to A until B marries." A's estate is restricted by these words of limitation, since A is given the land for only a specified length of time (the time before B marries).

A grantor may also place restrictions on who may receive property by employing words of limitation. For example, a grantor might convey property "to A and the heirs of her body." The words heirs of her body limit the persons who can inherit the property and are, therefore, recognized as words of limitation.