Which form of ownership generally passes a co-tenant's share to heirs at death?

Which form of ownership generally passes a co-tenant's share to heirs at death?

• A. Tenancy in Common
• B. Tenancy by the Entirety
• C. Joint Tenancy
• D. Tenancy in Severalty

Answer: (A)

When co-owners hold as a tenancy in common, each person owns a separate, transferable interest in the property. There is no right of survivorship, so if a co-tenant dies, that person’s interest becomes part of their estate and passes to heirs or through a will or intestate succession. This is why a tenancy in common generally passes a deceased co-tenant’s share to heirs. By contrast, joint tenancy and tenancy by the entirety include survivorship, meaning the deceased’s interest goes to the surviving co-owners, not to heirs. Tenancy in severalty is sole ownership by one person with no co-owners to pass to.

When co-owners hold as a tenancy in common, each person owns a separate, transferable interest in the property. There is no right of survivorship, so if a co-tenant dies, that person’s interest becomes part of their estate and passes to heirs or through a will or intestate succession. This is why a tenancy in common generally passes a deceased co-tenant’s share to heirs. By contrast, joint tenancy and tenancy by the entirety include survivorship, meaning the deceased’s interest goes to the surviving co-owners, not to heirs. Tenancy in severalty is sole ownership by one person with no co-owners to pass to.