For joint tenancy in real estate, which unities must be present?

For joint tenancy in real estate to be established, four specific unities must be present, which are possession, time, interest, and title.

Possession means that all joint tenants have equal rights to the entire property. Time refers to all joint tenants acquiring their interest at the same time, indicating that their rights and interests are concurrent. Interest signifies that all joint tenants hold the same type and amount of interest in the property, typically an equal share. Title indicates that all joint tenants must have their interests derived from the same deed or legal document, ensuring a unified ownership structure.

These unities work together to create the distinctive characteristics of joint tenancy, including the right of survivorship, which means that upon the death of one joint tenant, their share automatically transfers to the remaining joint tenants rather than being passed on to their heirs. This distinction is an essential aspect of joint tenancy and highlights why the presence of all four unities is necessary for the proper establishment of this type of ownership.