Final answer:
An owner of a fee simple estate may convert to a less than freehold estate due to financial difficulties or to reduce responsibilities and expenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
A fee simple estate is the highest form of ownership interest in real property. However, there may be circumstances where an owner chooses to convert their interest to a less than freehold estate. One possible reason for this could be financial difficulties, where the owner needs to sell off certain interests in the property to generate income. Another reason could be the desire to reduce responsibility and expenses associated with the property, such as maintenance, taxes, and insurance.