The correct answer is B, right of survivorship. Under joint tenancy, when one joint tenant dies, that owner ' s interest generally passes by operation of law to the surviving joint tenant or tenants rather than through the deceased owner ' s probate estate.
Massachusetts Land Court guidance expressly describes joint tenants as persons sharing title to the same real estate who possess a right of survivorship.
Tenancy in common works differently. Each tenant in common owns an undivided interest, which may be equal or unequal, and each has a right to possess the whole property. When a tenant in common dies, that person ' s ownership interest does not automatically pass to the other co-owners. Instead, it passes according to the owner ' s will or applicable intestacy law.
Joint tenancy therefore combines concurrent ownership with survivorship. Candidates should also recognize tenancy by the entirety, which is a separate Massachusetts form of survivorship ownership available to spouses.
Study Guide Reference: Property Ownership — Joint Tenancy, Tenancy in Common and Right of Survivorship.
