Which form allows unequal shares and bequeathing to different heirs via a will?

• A. Joint ownership
• B. Tenancy in common
• C. Beneficial ownership
• D. Bare trust

Answer: (B)

When people hold property in multiple names, the way they own it determines what happens to their share on death and whether unequal portions can be set up. The form that allows each co-owner to have a distinct, potentially unequal share and to pass that share to different heirs via a will is tenancy in common. In this arrangement there’s no right of survivorship, so if someone dies, their specific share goes to the heirs or beneficiaries named in their will or through intestacy. This makes it flexible for unequal allocations and bequests.

By contrast, joint ownership with the right of survivorship usually means equal shares, and upon a co-owner’s death the survivor(s) automatically inherit the deceased’s interest, not through a will. Beneficial ownership and bare trusts involve trustees or arrangements where a third party holds the asset for beneficiaries, which isn’t about allocating shares among heirs through a will in the same straightforward way as tenancy in common.