What type of estate is created when John deeds property to his mother with the condition that it will go to charity upon her death?

The correct answer is a life estate. When John deeds property to his mother with the condition that the property will pass to charity upon her death, he is creating a life estate in the property. In this arrangement, the mother has the right to possess and use the property for the duration of her life. However, when she dies, the property does not go to her heirs; instead, it passes to the designated charity.

The essential characteristic of a life estate is that it is limited in duration to the life of the individual holding the estate, in this case, John's mother. Although she enjoys many rights associated with ownership during her lifetime, the ultimate ownership interest, known as the remainder, is predetermined, which in this case is the charity.

The other options do not fit the scenario. A fee simple estate represents full ownership with no conditions, a leasehold estate pertains to rental agreements and tenant rights, and joint tenancy involves co-ownership with rights of survivorship, none of which are applicable to the specific condition in John's deed.