An estate held by a husband and wife is called which of the following?

• A. Tenancy in severalty
• B. Life estate
• C. Joint tenancy
• D. Tenancy by the entireties

Answer: (D)

Ownership by a husband and wife with the right of survivorship is tenancy by the entireties. This form treats the married couple as a single economic unit, and neither spouse can encumber or convey the property without the other’s consent. When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse automatically becomes the sole owner. This setup also provides protection regarding the property from the individual debts of one spouse in many situations.

This differs from ownership in severalty, which is sole ownership by one person; a life estate, which lasts only for the duration of a life and then reverts; and a standard joint tenancy, which involves co-owners with right of survivorship but is not limited to married couples and doesn’t carry the same marital-specific protections.