What is the difference between tenancy by the entirety and joint tenancy?
Sarah Martinez
Updated on February 12, 2026
For one, if property is held in tenancy by the entirety, neither spouse can transfer his or her half of the property alone, either while alive or by will or trust. It must go to the surviving spouse. This is different from joint tenancy; a joint tenant is free to break the joint tenancy at any time.
How is tenancy in entirety created?
A tenancy by the entirety can be created only by married persons. A married couple may choose to create a joint tenancy or a tenancy in common. In most states a married couple is presumed to take title to property as tenants by the entirety, unless the deed or conveyancing document states otherwise.
What states recognize tenants by the entirety?
States with tenancy by the entirety are: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.
How does a tenancy by the entirety differ from a joint tenancy quizlet?
The most important difference between a tenancy by the entirety and a joint tenancy or tenancy in common is that a tenant by the entirety may not sell or give away his interest in the property without the consent of the other tenant.
What is the difference between rights of survivorship and tenants by entirety?
When holding title to property as tenants by the entireties, survivorship rights are granted to each spouse. Tenancy by the entirety prevents either spouse from conveying or mortgaging their interest in the property without consent of the other.
What is tenancy by the entirety?
Tenants by entirety (TBE) is a method in some states by which married couples can hold the title to a property. It also provides that when one spouse passes away the surviving spouse gains full ownership of the property.
What does joint tenants in entirety mean?
Deeper definition Tenancy by the entirety describes a married couple that jointly owns real estate as one legal entity. Tenancy by the entirety can only be created by spouses. A joint tenancy becomes a tenancy in common if one partner sells their interest, and no tenant gets the survivorship right.
Who are the tenants in a tenancy by entirety?
Tenants by entirety are the spouses who hold mutual ownership of property through tenancy by the entirety. These spouses are referred to as tenants by entirety and have equal rights to ownership of the property.
How to own property as tenants by entirety in NC?
In North Carolina, if you are unmarried at the time of purchase, both spouses must execute a new deed to themselves to create a tenancy by the entirety ownership. It is important to note that a couple must be married at the time the property is purchased for it to be considered held as tenants by entirety.
Can a tenancy by entirety be exercised in a divorce?
Some states only allow tenancy by the entirety to be exercised for real estate that is jointly owned by married couples. The status of ownership of the property will likely be changed during a divorce. The court may order the sale of the property with the proceeds split between the divorcing couple.
How to create tenants by the entirety in Florida?
The legal elements of entireties ownership require that both spouses must acquire their joint ownership interests in an entireties asset at the same time during their marriage. Adding a spouse to an account or title of an asset owned prior to your marriage will not create tenants by the entireties ownership or protection.