Quitclaim Deed has restriction "may not sell property during her lifetime" and " any violation will cause her life estate to terminate and t...

Question

Quitclaim Deed has restriction "may not sell property during her lifetime" and " any violation will cause her life estate to terminate and the remainder interest to immediately vest.". Can she "trade" 1 acre of the 12 she owns for 2 acres of an adjacent plot without violating these terms?

Answer

Most likely a court would construe the words "may not sell" to mean "may not sell or transfer." I wouldn't make the transfer without the consent of the life tenants. Why the risk?