A condition precedent is one, upon the fulfillment of which, the estate comes into existence. In the case of such a condition, the grantee has no rights prior to the fulfillment of the condition, when he acquires an absolute estate.

If the condition is illegal the estate can never vest. Where a smaller estate will be enlarged into a greater one upon the fulfillment of a certain condition, such condition is a condition precedent as to such enlarged estate.

1 See Section 19.