In a tenancy in common, two or more people own the same parcel of land in undivided interests which may be equal or unequal in size. Whatever the size of the undivided interests, each of the owners is entitled to the use and possession of all of the property. Each owner's undivided interest in the property is freely alienable by sale, gift, or otherwise and, therefore, this form of concurrent ownership is the most unrestricted form. Each owner is free to sell, encumber, and allow that owner's interest in the property to pass by will or intestate succession to the owner's heirs or devisees the other owners having no right of survivorship in any other owner's undivided interest in the property.
Someone who purchases property for investment purposes, who wants to be able to devise his or her property pursuant to a will or trust, or who simply does not have a plan for the property should consider this form of ownership. Although a tenancy in common allows each owner the freedom to dispose of that owner's interest in the property as that owner chooses, there are a few obligations and potential problems that anyone taking title to property as a tenant in common should consider:.
Under a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, when one owner dies, the other joint tenant gets that owner's share in the property, regardless of the provisions of the deceased owner's will or the laws of intestate succession. If the ownership interests among three or more joint tenants are held in unequal shares, the share of the deceased owner is divided among the surviving joint tenants according to their respective pro rata interests, unless the creating instrument provides otherwise. Because of the effect of this form of concurrent ownership on the disposition of one's property after death, a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship should be used only after consultation with an estate planning professional.
Before creating a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, it is important to consider the following:.
Only a husband and wife a bill has been introduced in the General Assembly to change references to "husband" and "wife" in tenancy by the entirety statutes to "spouse" can own property as tenants by the entirety. It was the early common law's version of "social security" because of the legal fiction that neither the husband nor the wife owns the property; rather, it is the marital state or union that owns the property.
As a result, a lien or judgment docketed against one spouse will not attach to property owned as tenants by the entirety because the property is not owned by the husband or the wife, but by the marital entity. If two people who are married to each other take title to property, they will own the property as tenants by the entirety unless the instrument of conveyance clearly provides otherwise. Note, however, that a man and woman who own property and then subsequently get married do not then automatically own the property as tenants by the entirety. They must record a new instrument of conveyance to create a tenancy by the entirety.
Joint Tenants
A tenancy by the entirety is similar to a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, but with a few additional characteristics:. The form of ownership in which you take title to property can significantly affect the way in which you can use the property, dispose of it, and pass it to others. Because there are benefits and consequences to taking title to property by each of the ways described above, especially regarding estate planning matters, it is important to take time to consider, along with the many other considerations you make when purchasing property, exactly how you intend to use and ultimately transfer the property.
For further information regarding the issues described above, please contact Justin M. No action should be taken in reliance upon the information contained in this article without obtaining the advice of an attorney.
What's the Difference Between Joint Tenants with Survivorship and Tenants in Common? - FindLaw
Law firm web design by New Media Campaigns. Does It Matter? Tenancy in Common Tenancy in common is the most prevailing form of concurrent ownership of real property used by unmarried people. If one owner pays the taxes or assessments or makes necessary repairs, that owner is entitled to contribution from the other owners. There may be exceptions to this rule if the owner seeking contribution is the only owner in actual possession of the property, but generally each owner is obligated to contribute toward the maintenance and preservation of the property in proportion to that owner's undivided interest.
Under such ownership, all co-owners must have taken title at the same time and share equal interest in the property.
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- Joint Tenancy vs. Tenants in Common!
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This avoids many of the disadvantages encountered with tenancies in common including probate costs since the surviving tenant usually only needs to record an affidavit of survivorship and provide a death certificate to clear title. However, in lien theory states such as Florida, one joint tenant mortgaging his or her interest in the subject property effectively destroys the joint tenancy leaving the lender with a mortgage on only a partial interest in the property.
Accordingly, Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship can pose its own set of unique challenges if incorrectly utilized.
Types of Ownership
Tenancy by the Entirety ownership of real property can only be created between individuals who are married to each other at the time the property is acquired. In this case, each spouse holds an equal and identical interest as the other that cannot be severed so long as both spouses are alive and remain married. However, creditors of one spouse alone may not attach to the property. If the spouses ultimately divorce, thereby destroying the main factor needed for tenancy by the entirety, then the parties are considered to own separate, but undivided interests in the subject property, like with tenants in common.
Choosing the most effective way to take title of a residential piece of real estate is commonly overlooked by buyers during real estate transactions.
Tenants in Common vs. Joint Tenants: What's the Difference?
However, this simple step in the closing process can determine critical factors that greatly impact buyers down the road. Selecting the correct form of title can impact factors such as taxation considerations, estate planning , liability and the ability to transfer or sell property in the future.
While the above information introduces the most common ways in which to own property in Florida, there are several legal and tax consequences associated with each option. Have you bought a piece of property lately? Let us know how choosing the right title considerations impacted your closing in the comments below! Subscribe to our Newsletter! Thank you for explaining that sole ownership is the simplest form of real estate. My sister has been thinking about getting a new home soon for investing purposes. I am sure that getting a professional to help her out with sorting that out is her best course of action.
Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Digital Marketing: Not Fade Away. Phone Number. Email Address. The following provides a brief introduction to each: Sole Ownership of Residential Real Estate Sole Ownership is the simplest form of real estate ownership and is generally held by unmarried individuals or married individuals who wish to assume sole title in non-homestead real property for investment purposes. Tenancy in Common of Residential Real Estate Tenancy in Common is used when two or more individuals, who are not married to each other, take title to real property.
Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship in Real Estate Transactions Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship provides an alternative option to Tenancy in Common and is often used amongst close family members who prefer to keep the ownership interest in the property within the family.
Tenancy by the Entirety in Residential Real Estate Transactions Tenancy by the Entirety ownership of real property can only be created between individuals who are married to each other at the time the property is acquired. Conclusion Choosing the most effective way to take title of a residential piece of real estate is commonly overlooked by buyers during real estate transactions.
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Email Subscribe to our Newsletter! Really amazing insight and content! Thank you for spending time to share! Look forward to more. Anila S.