What does Georgia law allow life tenants to do regarding timber on their property?

Under Georgia law, life tenants are permitted to cut timber on the property, but their rights are restricted to actions that do not diminish the value of the property. Cutting timber for repairs and maintenance fits within the scope of responsible management of the property. A life tenant has the obligation to preserve the property for the remainderman (the person who will inherit the property after the life tenant's interest ends), which means they must act prudently.

While life tenants can manage the land’s resources, they cannot exploit them for personal profit in a manner that would harm the property’s long-term value. Therefore, actions taken solely for the purpose of repairs and maintenance are acceptable, as they are aligned with the duty to maintain the property rather than exploit it. This ensures that the remainderman can inherit a property in a reasonably good condition at the end of the life tenant’s interest.

In contrast, options that suggest cutting timber for profit or as a primary source of income do not align with the obligation to protect the property value for future interests. Selling timber without consideration for the long-term effects on the land could significantly devalue the property, which goes against the responsibility of life tenants. Additionally, needing prior government approval for timber cutting generally does not