Three friends—Alex, Ben, and Carla—purchase a commercial building in Norman, Oklahoma as joint tenants with equal shares. Alex later conveys his one-third interest to his business partner, Diana, without telling Ben or Carla. What is the ownership structure of the property after Alex's conveyance?
Correct Answer
D) Diana holds a one-third interest as a tenant in common; Ben and Carla continue to hold their two-thirds interest as joint tenants between themselves.
Under Oklahoma property law, a joint tenant may unilaterally convey their interest to a third party, which severs the joint tenancy as to that interest only. When Alex conveys his one-third interest to Diana, the joint tenancy is severed as to Alex's share. Diana receives a one-third interest as a tenant in common (she was not part of the original joint tenancy and does not share the four unities with Ben and Carla). Ben and Carla, however, retain their joint tenancy relationship between themselves, holding the remaining two-thirds jointly. This partial severance creates a hybrid ownership structure.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Deep Analysis of This Property Ownership Question
Background Knowledge for Property Ownership
Real World Application in Property Ownership
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Property Ownership Questions
Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
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.
More Property Ownership Questions
Idaho water rights:
West Virginia requires sellers to provide:
An easement appurtenant in Alabama:
An easement by necessity is typically created when a property is in which situation?
A Texas property owner grants an oil company the right to drill on their land. This is called:
- → Alabama's lead-based paint disclosure applies to homes built before:
- → The test to locate septic system placement is called:
- → Under Idaho Code §55-1003, what is the current homestead exemption amount that protects a homeowner's primary residence from creditors?
- → Wisconsin is a:
- → What is the homestead exemption amount that Oregon law provides to protect a qualifying homeowner's equity from most unsecured creditors?
- → In Illinois, which deed provides the greatest protection to the buyer?
- → In Vermont, joint tenancy with right of survivorship requires:
- → Pennsylvania's adverse possession statute requires occupation for:
- → Delaware follows which recording system?
- → A Virginia real estate broker advises her client that a deed conveying property with the statutory phrase 'with general warranty' is legally equivalent to including all five traditional English covenants of title by operation of Virginia law. The broker is correct. Which Virginia statute authorizes this shorthand approach, allowing the phrase 'with general warranty' to import all warranty covenants without spelling them out individually?
People Also Study
Buyer Representation Agreement
8% of exam
Land Use Controls and Regulations
8% of exam
Valuation and Market Analysis
10% of exam
Financing
12% of exam
Related Articles
Property Flyer Generator — 2026 Guide for U.S. Agents: Step-by-Step + Best Practices
Learn how Property Flyer Generator works and how U.S. real estate agents use it in 2026. Includes setup steps, practical examples, and best-practice tips.
Real Estate Exam Property Ownership & Title (2026): Deeds, Liens, Encumbrances + Practice Questions
Understand deeds, liens, encumbrances, and ownership types with exam-style practice questions and traps.
Why Real Estate Property Description Questions Get Easier Once You Sort Boundaries, Measurements, and Legal Meaning
A topic that feels clear in notes can still fail in practice if recall has not caught up with recognition. If you are searching for real estate property...