Joint Tenancy Archives

Right of Survivorship in California: How It Affects Co-Ownership and Partition Actions

The right of survivorship determines whether property skips probate—or sparks a legal dispute. In California, this powerful legal principle allows a surviving co-owner to automatically inherit the deceased owner’s share of real estate—but only if title is held in a very specific way. When survivorship rights are not clearly stated in the deed, the property … Read More

What to Do If a Majority Owner Refuses a Partition Action

When the majority owner refuses a partition action, you don’t have to stay trapped—California law is on your side. When co-owners of real estate don’t see eye to eye, disputes are inevitable—especially when one party wants to sell, but the majority owner(s) disagrees. Fortunately, California law provides a clear legal path forward for minority owners … Read More

Oral Agreement Cannot Prevent Joint Tenancy Severance in California

Within the law of California real estate co-ownership, among the most common myths in joint tenancy is that an oral agreement can establish prevent the joint tenancy from being severed. California law is clear: it cannot. The same is true for the creation of a joint tenancy. This issue is critical as many joint tenants … Read More

Severance of a Joint Tenancy After the ATRO in a Marital Dissolution: Implications for Partition Actions

In California, spouses frequently hold real estate as joint tenants, meaning that if one spouse dies, their interest automatically passes to the surviving spouse by right of survivorship. However, when a marriage dissolves, one spouse may wish to sever the joint tenancy and transfer their half interest to a living trust to ensure the property … Read More

What Happens If Your Co-Owner Dies During a Partition Action?

Partition actions are already challenging, but the unexpected death of a co-owner introduces additional complexity. If this happens, your next steps depend on whether the deceased co-owner had an attorney, their ownership structure, and the status of the case. Here’s what to do, including how to handle situations where the co-owner was a trustee of … Read More

Joint Tenancy with a Parent: What Happens When the Parent Decides to Sever the Joint Tenancy?

In California, joint tenancy is a common way for parents and children to co-own property, often with the understanding that the property will automatically transfer to the surviving joint tenant, presumably the child, upon the death of the other, presumably the parent. However, joint tenancies can be severed, and this can cause significant issues when … Read More

What Happens When a Joint Tenant Transfers Their Interest? Understanding Joint Tenancy in California

Joint tenancy is a common form of property ownership in California that includes the right of survivorship, meaning when one joint tenant dies, their interest automatically passes to the surviving joint tenant(s). However, what happens if one joint tenant decides to transfer their interest during their lifetime? This is a critical question that often arises … Read More

What is Tenancy in Common?

California recognizes different forms of property co-ownership, the most common and default of which is tenants in common. California Civil Code 682 recognizes “ownership of property by several persons” in these forms: (a) Of joint interest. (b) Of partnership interests. (c) Of interests in common. (d) Of community interest of spouses. This article specifically focuses on tenants in common as the … Read More

Affidavit of Death of a Joint Tenant (Probate Code § 210)

The fundamental rule of joint tenancy is the right of survivorship, by which the public learns about the current ownership through a recorded affidavit of death of joint tenant. This article explains joint tenancy and what to do when a joint tenant dies. What is Joint Tenancy? Joint tenancy, also known as joint tenancy with … Read More

Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common – What’s the Difference?

When multiple people own a property, they typically hold title as either joint tenants or tenants in common. While both forms of co-ownership allow multiple parties to have an interest in the same real estate, their legal rights and what happens when an owner passes away differ significantly. Understanding these differences is crucial, especially when … Read More