What happens to the beneficial joint tenants' interests on the death of one?

• A. The deceased's share passes to the survivor automatically
• B. The deceased's share goes to the estate under intestacy
• C. The deceased's share is held in trust for heirs
• D. The tenancy is terminated on death

Answer: (A)

Beneficial joint tenants have the right of survivorship. When a joint tenant dies, their interest does not pass to their estate or heirs. Instead, the deceased’s share vests automatically in the surviving joint tenants, so the survivors take the entire property (or their enlarged shares) immediately. This happens because the four unities (possession, interest, title, and time) remain intact for the survivors, and the tenancy continues among them. Therefore, the deceased’s share passes automatically to the survivor(s).