Doctrine of Worthier Title
Provides that a future interest in the grantor’s heirs is to be treated as a future interest retained by the
grantor.
G transferred property to A for life, remainder to G’s heirs.
Applying the doctrine, this would read “to A for life, reversion to G.” This rule, like Shelley’s Case,
requires heirs to take property by descent rather than by the terms of transfer—title by descent being
“worthier” than title by purchase—because only on descent could feudal lords exact the customary dues.