Which statement about creating a joint tenancy is accurate?

• A. The four unities required for joint tenancy are time, title, interest, and possession
• B. A straw is required to create a joint tenancy
• C. Survivorship exists only if the grantor indicates survivorship
• D. A joint tenancy can be created by will

Answer: (A)

Joint tenancy is created when there are four unities: time, title, interest, and possession. All co-owners must acquire their interests at the same time, by the same instrument, with equal shares, and with the right to possess the whole property together. Because those unities exist, there is a right of survivorship: when one owner dies, the decedent’s share passes automatically to the surviving co-owners, not through a will. A straw man is not required to create a joint tenancy; the property can be transferred directly to the intended co-owners in a single transaction. And a joint tenancy cannot be created by will—survivorship applies only to property that was created as a joint tenancy, not by a testamentary transfer. If any unity is severed (for example, if one co-owner transfers their interest), the joint tenancy is broken for that share and becomes a tenancy in common.