EstatePass
Property OwnershipOwnership_types_and_marital_property_actMEDIUM

Maria and her brother Carlos own a Wisconsin lakefront property as joint tenants with right of survivorship. Maria dies without a will. What happens to her interest in the property under Wisconsin law?

Correct Answer

B) Maria's interest passes automatically to Carlos as the surviving joint tenant

In a joint tenancy with right of survivorship, when one joint tenant dies, the deceased tenant's interest automatically passes to the surviving joint tenant(s) by operation of law. No probate is required. Carlos automatically becomes the sole owner of the entire property upon Maria's death, regardless of whether she had a will.

Answer Options
A
Maria's interest passes to her heirs according to Wisconsin intestate succession laws
B
Maria's interest passes automatically to Carlos as the surviving joint tenant
C
Maria's interest passes to her estate and must go through probate before Carlos receives it
D
The property is converted to a tenancy in common and Carlos owns only his original 50% share

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Deep Analysis of This Property Ownership Question

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Background Knowledge for Property Ownership

Sign up free to unlock full analysis
Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Real World Application in Property Ownership

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Property Ownership Questions

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

joint_tenancyright_of_survivorshipownership_typesprobate

Related Concepts

A life estate is a freehold estate that grants ownership rights for the duration of someone's life.

Real property is immovable land and anything permanently attached to it, while personal property (also called chattels) is movable.

Tenancy by the entirety is a form of co-ownership available only to married couples that includes the right of survivorship and protection from individual creditors. Neither spouse can unilaterally sell or encumber the property.

Was this explanation helpful?

More Property Ownership Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Practice More Questions

Access 2,000+ practice questions and pass your real estate exam.

Start Practicing