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Carlos and Patricia are married and hold their California home as joint tenants. Carlos dies without a will. Under California law, what happens to Carlos's interest in the property?

Correct Answer

C) Carlos's interest passes to Patricia by right of survivorship

Joint tenancy includes the right of survivorship. Under California Civil Code §683.2, when a joint tenant dies, the deceased tenant's interest automatically passes to the surviving joint tenant(s) by operation of law. This occurs regardless of whether the deceased had a will, and the transfer avoids probate entirely.

Answer Options
A
Carlos's interest becomes community property and is split between Patricia and Carlos's children
B
Carlos's interest passes through intestate succession to all of his legal heirs
C
Carlos's interest passes to Patricia by right of survivorship
D
Carlos's interest is frozen until the probate court makes a determination

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

joint_tenancyright_of_survivorshipdeath_of_joint_tenantCivil_Code_683
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