Property Rights & Ownership

    Right of Survivorship

    The feature of joint tenancy and tenancy by the entireties by which a deceased co-owner's share passes automatically to the surviving co-owners.

    The right of survivorship means that when a co-owner dies, that owner's interest passes automatically to the surviving co-owners rather than to the deceased owner's heirs or estate. Joint tenancy and tenancy by the entireties both carry this right.

    Tenancy in common does not include survivorship, so a deceased tenant in common's share passes to heirs or by will.

    On the exam

    Survivorship sends the share to the surviving co-owners. Tenancy in common sends it to heirs.

    Exam trap

    Tenancy in common has no survivorship. Only joint tenancy and tenancy by the entireties carry it.

    Tested in

    Property Rights (8% of the exam)

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    This definition is Florida real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.