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Simple English definitions for legal terms
standing seised to uses
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A quick definition of standing seised to uses:
Standing seised to uses refers to holding title to property for the benefit or use of someone else, such as a family member. This is done through a legal conveyance called a covenant to stand seised to uses, which relies on the Statute of Uses. This statute was created in England in 1535 to prevent people from creating uses in land that deprived feudal lords of their rights. The statute made the person who enjoyed the use of the land the legal owner with the right of absolute ownership and possession. However, the courts later found ways to work around the statute by recognizing the use of equitable trusts in land-conveyancing.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Standing seised to uses refers to the holding of title for the benefit or use of another person, such as a relative in consideration of blood or marriage. It is a type of conveyance that depends on the Statute of Uses for its effect.
Statute of Uses: The Statute of Uses was an English statute enacted in 1535 that converted the equitable title held by a beneficiary to a legal one in order to make the beneficiary liable for feudal dues. The statute discouraged the granting of property subject to another's use by deeming the person who enjoys the use to have legal title with the right of absolute ownership and possession.
Example: If John conveys land to Mary subject to the use of Sarah, then Sarah becomes the legal owner of the land in fee simple. This means that Sarah has the right to use and benefit from the land, even though she is not the one who holds the title to it.
Explanation: This example illustrates how standing seised to uses works. John is the feoffee to uses, which means he holds the legal title to the land. However, Sarah is the cestui que use, which means she is the beneficiary who has the right to use and benefit from the land. The Statute of Uses converted Sarah's equitable title to a legal one, making her the legal owner of the land.