In joint ownership, what happens to a deceased owner's share of the asset?

• A. The deceased's share passes automatically to the surviving owner.
• B. The deceased's share passes to the deceased's estate to be distributed by probate.
• C. The share is allocated to a charitable trust.
• D. The share is held in trust for the heirs.

Answer: (A)

When property is owned as a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship, the death of one owner causes their interest to pass automatically to the surviving owner. This transfer happens by operation of law and does not go through the deceased’s estate or probate. As a result, the surviving owner becomes the sole owner of the asset immediately upon death. If the arrangement were tenancy in common, the deceased’s share would instead form part of their estate and pass through probate to heirs or beneficiaries.