What is the term for the legal absorption of one estate into another when both are owned by the same person?

The correct answer, "Merger of Estates," refers to the legal principle where one estate is absorbed into another when both estates are owned by the same individual. This concept is crucial in property law as it illustrates how various estates can interact, particularly through ownership. When the same owner holds two or more estates that are compatible (for example, a freehold estate and a leasehold estate), the estates can legally combine into a single estate. This process simplifies ownership and can potentially extinguish lesser interests in favor of a single, unified property interest.

In contrast, the other options describe different legal concepts. A "Fee Tail Estate" relates to a specific type of freehold estate that restricts the inheritance of property to a particular lineage. "Leasehold" refers to an interest in land created by a lease, giving a tenant the right to use and occupy the property for a specified period. Meanwhile, "Qualified Fee" denotes a type of fee simple estate that is subject to certain conditions or limitations, which affects the transferability and ownership of the property. Understanding the nuances of these terms helps clarify the concept of merging estates and the nature of property interests.