Upon the death of a joint tenant, what happens to the property?

When a joint tenant passes away, the property held in joint tenancy automatically transfers to the surviving joint tenant or tenants. This principle is known as the "right of survivorship." The key feature of joint tenancy is that it allows for seamless transition of ownership without the need for probate, which is typically required for property held in individual ownership.

The mechanism of joint tenancy effectively ensures that the deceased joint tenant's share of the property does not become part of their estate. Instead, it immediately vests in the surviving tenant, allowing them to continue using or managing the property without interruption. This arrangement is particularly beneficial because it provides a clear and efficient means for property succession, avoiding delays and additional expenses associated with probate.

In contrast, the other options, such as going through probate or being divided among heirs, do not apply in joint tenancy scenarios due to the unique legal framework governing this form of ownership. Thus, the immediate vesting of ownership in the survivors upon the death of a joint tenant is a fundamental characteristic of joint tenancy.