Under a joint tenancy, what happens to the deceased co-owner's interest?

Under a joint tenancy, what happens to the deceased co-owner's interest?

• A. It passes to the deceased's heirs
• B. It becomes the property of the survivors
• C. It is split among all co-owners
• D. It is transferred to the state

Answer: (B)

Right of survivorship in joint tenancy means the deceased co-owner's interest does not pass to that person’s heirs or through probate. Instead, it automatically becomes the property of the surviving co-owners, in equal shares, so the living co-owners keep the entire ownership as joint tenants. This happens without probate and preserves the property for the survivors. The four unities—time, title, interest, and possession—must exist for a true joint tenancy; if any unity is broken, the arrangement can become a tenancy in common, where the deceased's share would go to heirs rather than to survivors. Therefore, the survivors receive the deceased co-owner's interest.

Right of survivorship in joint tenancy means the deceased co-owner's interest does not pass to that person’s heirs or through probate. Instead, it automatically becomes the property of the surviving co-owners, in equal shares, so the living co-owners keep the entire ownership as joint tenants. This happens without probate and preserves the property for the survivors. The four unities—time, title, interest, and possession—must exist for a true joint tenancy; if any unity is broken, the arrangement can become a tenancy in common, where the deceased's share would go to heirs rather than to survivors. Therefore, the survivors receive the deceased co-owner's interest.