In most states, you can ensure the right of survivorship for all joint tenants by including JTWROS on the title after your names. However, if you already own a property and want to transfer partial ownership to another party, you can use a Survivorship Deed to establish the right of survivorship.
Historically, the common law required that in order for a joint tenancy to be created, the co-owners must share the “four unities” of (1) time – the property interest must be acquired by both tenants at the same time; (2) title - both tenants must have the same title to the property in the deed; (3) interest - both ...
Joint tenancy is most common among married couples because it helps property owners avoid probate. Without joint tenancy, a spouse would have to wait for their partner's Last Will to go through a legal review process—which can take months or even years.
In the context of joint tenancy, typically four unities are required for its valid creation: Unity of Possession, Unity of Interest, Unity of Time, and Unity of Title, collectively referred to as the 'four unities' in property law. However, one example of a 'unity' that is not required is the Unity of Marriage.
The key feature that distinguishes joint tenancy from other types of ownership rights is that the surviving joint tenant(s) acquires the shares held by another tenant upon their death.
To challenge the right of survivorship, the party contesting the right must file a lawsuit and prove their case in court with the help of a lawyer.
Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship (JTWROS)
Joint Tenants in Illinois In particular, joint tenancies with right of survivorship involve all parties having equal ownership and the right to assume another owner's interest in the event the other owner dies.