In a joint tenancy, when one owner dies, how is the ownership treated?

In a joint tenancy, when one owner dies, the ownership is treated in a specific way that reflects the nature of this type of ownership arrangement. The remaining owners automatically inherit the deceased's share of the property. This transfer of ownership occurs through a legal right known as the right of survivorship, which is a fundamental characteristic of joint tenancy.

This means that there is no need for probate or involvement of the deceased's heirs regarding that share; the surviving joint tenants simply continue to own the property together, with their ownership interests adjusted accordingly. This guarantees that the ownership remains within the surviving members and that the structure of the joint tenancy is maintained, continuing the unity of ownership.

In contrast, the other options imply different scenarios that do not align with the principles of joint tenancy. Distributing property among heirs or transferring ownership to the state would involve complexities of probate, while selling the property would not be a requirement in the case of a joint tenancy's right of survivorship.