Which form of concurrent ownership includes the right of survivorship and requires unity of possession, interest, title, and time?

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

Answer: (D)

This form of concurrent ownership combines equal ownership with a right of survivorship and is defined by four unities: possession, interest, title, and time. That means all owners acquire their interest at the same moment, through the same deed, with equal shares, and with equal rights to use and occupy the property. Because these unities are present, the surviving owners automatically inherit the deceased owner’s share, keeping the total ownership intact among the survivors.

This is different from tenancy in common, where owners can have different shares and can take their interests at different times, and there is no right of survivorship—the deceased’s interest goes to heirs or designated beneficiaries. Tenancy by the entirety involves married couples and does include survivorship, but it is defined by the marital relationship rather than the four unities of time, title, interest, and possession. Community property describes a marital property regime found in some states and does not inherently provide survivorship in the same way as joint tenancy.