Which type of estate is known for providing the least control to the owner?

A life estate provides the least control to the owner because it limits the owner's interest in the property to their lifetime. After the owner's death, the property automatically passes to another designated party, known as the remainderman. This type of ownership means that the life tenant cannot freely sell, lease, or otherwise manipulate the property in a way that would extend beyond their lifetime. Because of this limitation, the life tenant’s control over the property is significantly reduced compared to other forms of ownership, such as fee simple estates, where the owner has full control over the property and can transfer it as they see fit. In contrast, a leasehold estate involves controlling property for a set period but does not provide ownership; joint tenancy allows for co-ownership with rights of survivorship, which does not restrict personal control within the lifetime of the owners.