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Elena and her business partner own a commercial building in Billings, Montana as tenants in common. Elena owns a 60% interest and her partner owns 40%. Elena passes away without a will. What happens to Elena's interest under Montana law?

Correct Answer

C) Elena's 60% interest passes to her heirs according to Montana intestacy laws.

Tenancy in common carries no right of survivorship. Each co-owner's interest is freely transferable and passes to their heirs or devisees upon death. Since Elena died without a will, her 60% interest will be distributed according to Montana's intestate succession laws (MCA Title 72), not to her business partner.

Answer Options
A
Elena's 60% interest passes to her business partner by right of survivorship.
B
The entire property is sold and proceeds are distributed according to Montana intestacy laws.
C
Elena's 60% interest passes to her heirs according to Montana intestacy laws.
D
Elena's interest is extinguished and her partner becomes the sole owner.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

tenancy_in_commonco_ownershipintestate_successionno_survivorship

Related Concepts

Condominium ownership involves owning a unit of airspace within a multi-unit building plus an undivided interest in the common elements shared with other unit owners. Each unit is separately taxed and financed.

In a cooperative (co-op), the building is owned by a corporation, and residents purchase shares of stock in the corporation that entitle them to a proprietary lease on a specific unit. Residents are shareholders, not property owners.

Fee simple absolute is the highest and most complete form of property ownership, giving the owner unrestricted rights to use, possess, enjoy, and dispose of the property. It is of unlimited duration and fully inheritable.

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