Forms of beneficial ownership: Inheriting gifts as joint tenants, tenants in common

By Suzana Popovic-Montag ( July 17, 2025, 2:53 PM EDT) -- When property is held by more than one person, beneficial ownership takes one of two forms — joint tenancy or tenancy in common. These forms of beneficial ownership also apply when a will leaves a testamentary gift to multiple beneficiaries, regardless of whether the will expressly addresses the intended form of joint ownership. If a will is silent on this point, the form of beneficial ownership will simply be determined through legal presumptions....