What is a tenancy in common, and how does it differ from joint tenancy?

• A. Tenancy in common allows unequal shares with no right of survivorship; joint tenancy has equal shares and a right of survivorship
• B. Tenancy in common requires equal shares with survivorship
• C. Tenancy in common includes right of survivorship; joint tenancy does not
• D. Tenancy in common requires ownership by married couples only

Answer: (A)

Understanding how tenancy in common differs from joint tenancy centers on what happens to a co-owner’s share when someone dies and whether owners must have equal stakes. Tenancy in common allows unequal shares and has no right of survivorship, so a deceased owner’s share passes to their heirs or as directed by their will. Joint tenancy requires equal shares and includes the right of survivorship, meaning surviving owners automatically inherit the deceased’s interest. This description matches the statement: tenancy in common with unequal shares and no survivorship, versus joint tenancy with equal shares and survivorship. The other choices misstate TIC by suggesting equal shares or survivorship, or limit ownership to married couples.