Joint Tenancy Contract

To hold a real estate property in joint tenancy, you and the co-owners have to write the abbreviation for joint tenants with the right of survivorship, or JTWROS, on the official real estate deed or title. This creates a legally binding joint tenancy.

The name and address of the seller (called the grantor) The name and address of the buyer (called the grantee) A legal description of the property (found on the previous deed) A statement that the grantor is transferring the property to the grantee.

The answer is yes. Parties to a transaction are always free to prepare their own deeds. If you do so, be sure your deed measures up to your state's legal regulations, to help avert any legal challenge to the deed later.

The General Rule. In the great majority of states, if you and the other owners call yourselves "joint tenants with the right of survivorship," or put the abbreviation "JT WROS" after your names on the title document, you create a joint tenancy. A car salesman or bank staffer may assure you that other words are enough.

Serve a written notice of the change (a 'notice of severance') on the other owners - a conveyancer can help you do this. Download and fill in form SEV to register a restriction without the other owners' agreement. Prepare any supporting documents you need to include.

To make the form legally binding, you must sign it in front of a notary public. You must then file your signed and notarized deed with the county office that's in charge of recording property documents. Once the grantee signs the warranty deed, he/she legally has ownership and claim to the property.

Each party has a full ownership interest in the property. The property will pass instantly to the survivor upon the death of the other without probate. Conveyance by one party without the other breaks the joint tenancy. Seller warrants that he/she has good title and will warrant and defend title.

What Is the Difference Between a Warranty Deed & a Survivorship Deed?A warranty deed is the most comprehensive and provides the most guarantees. Survivorship isn't so much a deed as a title. It's a way to co-own property where, upon the death of one owner, ownership automatically passes to the survivor.

Under the Grantor section of the deed, write the name of the person transferring title. Under Grantee, write the name of the person receiving title. Describe the parcel of land. Use the street address and include the North Carolina County where the land is located.