Which form of co-ownership allows unequal shares and has no right of survivorship?

• A. Joint tenancy
• B. Tenancy by the entirety
• C. Tenancy in common
• D. Community property

Answer: (C)

When owners share a property, the form of co-ownership determines whether there is a right of survivorship and whether shares must be equal. Tenancy in common fits the scenario because it lets each owner hold a separate, potentially unequal, interest in the property. There is no right of survivorship, so if someone dies, their share goes to their heirs or as directed by their will, rather than automatically passing to the other co-owners. All co-owners have an undivided right to possess the whole property, but the percentages of ownership can differ.

By contrast, joint tenancy requires equal shares and includes a right of survivorship—when one owner dies, their interest automatically passes to the surviving owners. Tenancy by the entirety is similar but is reserved for married couples and also includes survivorship. Community property concepts generally involve spouses and often imply equal or specified interests with survivorship in certain forms, not the flexible unequal shares described here.

So the form that allows unequal shares and has no right of survivorship is tenancy in common.