• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Joint Tenancy vs Tenants in Common

puppymommo

TUG Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Messages
1,182
Reaction score
151
Points
273
I'm in the process of transferring a timeshare (to me) and am not sure I understand the difference between Joint Tenancy with Right to Survivorship vs Tenants in Common. This would be for my husband and myself. What I've read on the web is talking about real estate but I'm not sure timesharing works the same.

Any insight is welcomed!

Susan
 

BocaBum99

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
6,651
Reaction score
4
Points
323
Location
Boca Raton, FL
Joint tenancy with rights of survivorship means that if either party passes, the property goes to the other party.

Tenants in common means that if either party passes, the property goes to the estate of the deceased party.

For example, in the case of husband and wife, the estates could be the same, so it doesn't make much difference.

However, if you have two friends who purchase a property together it does matter. Let's say they are both married. If one passes and they are deeded with rights of survivorship, then the other gets the property. However, if it's deeded as tenants in common, then it goes to the spouse of the deceased.

Another common way to go is Tenants by the Entireties. That is for a husband and wife. It means the property belongs to the marriage as one.
 

ondeadlin

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,642
Reaction score
7
Points
398
Location
Dexter, MI
This is an important distinction.

A tenancy in common means that everyone has an equal interest and then can do whatever they want with their own interest (such as devise it to a child in a will). Four people would all get 1/4 interests. If it were in 100 acres, one of the owners could even ask the court to partition off their 100 acres and give him separate title.

Joint tenants with right of survivorship cannot pass on or divide their interest. If you name 4 people on a deed and designate them as joint tenants with the right of survivorship, the last person living takes the deed and can pass it on as they wish. It is generally a disfavored form of conveyance.
 

Talent312

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
17,461
Reaction score
7,277
Points
948
Resorts Owned
HGVC & GTS
A deeded TS is considered "real estate" and title is held in the same manner.

A husband+wife team should take title "as husband and wife," which by default is considered a tenancy by the entireties in most states. As such, there a right of surviviorship and if either spouse suffers a creditor's claim, it cannot attach to the property since the other also owns "the entirety."

OTOH, a JTWROS (joint tenancy w-right of survivorship) has a survivorship feature, but in many states, is subject to liens against either spouse becuz each owns merely a share.

Likewise, the shares of tenants in common may be transferred to third parties, subject to liens or subject to probate, since they have no survivorship feature.
 

teepeeca

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,276
Reaction score
1
Points
246
Location
Vacaville, Ca.
For "major" real-estate properties, a tax liability/step-up basis might come into play. In California, many people (married) are not having is listed at Joint tenancy (with right of survivorship) or tenants in common, but as "community property". You get the benefits of a "stepped-up" basis when one passes, along with what "joint tenancy" will do.

Tony
 

BocaBum99

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
6,651
Reaction score
4
Points
323
Location
Boca Raton, FL
This is an important distinction.

A tenancy in common means that everyone has an equal interest and then can do whatever they want with their own interest (such as devise it to a child in a will). Four people would all get 1/4 interests. If it were in 100 acres, one of the owners could even ask the court to partition off their 100 acres and give him separate title.

Joint tenants with right of survivorship cannot pass on or divide their interest. If you name 4 people on a deed and designate them as joint tenants with the right of survivorship, the last person living takes the deed and can pass it on as they wish. It is generally a disfavored form of conveyance.

ownership does not have to be divided into equal parts. It can divided up in percentages.

Also, tenancy in common usually means that the title is an Undivided Interest meaning that you cannot divide the property into pieces. For example, one owner owns the garage, the other owner owns the kitchen. It is usually a percentage of the entire property.
 

ondeadlin

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,642
Reaction score
7
Points
398
Location
Dexter, MI
ownership does not have to be divided into equal parts. It can divided up in percentages.

Also, tenancy in common usually means that the title is an Undivided Interest meaning that you cannot divide the property into pieces. For example, one owner owns the garage, the other owner owns the kitchen. It is usually a percentage of the entire property.

I think we're sort of saying the same thing, we're just saying it differently.

With a TIC, all tenants have equal and total access to the property, BUT their interests are always considered on a percentage basis when it comes to incomes and liabilities. So if, for example, property taxes were due, and there were four owners, each would be liable for 1/4 of the property taxes. Or if you rented the property on an annual basis, each would be entitled to 1/4 of the revenue.

Every TIC does come with a right to partition, which means that at any point any owner can ask a court to divide the property. In the case of a single-family residence, this would not result in anyone getting the garage, but the court forcing a sale.

And while some states do have "tenancy by entirety" or "community property", many do not.
 

puppymommo

TUG Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Messages
1,182
Reaction score
151
Points
273
Thank you, everyone, for your input! It has been very helpful.
 

Hawaii123

newbie
Joined
Jun 13, 2005
Messages
103
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Hawaii
Tenants in Common = Probate when 1 party dies

Tenants in Common for timeshares is basically a nightmare. If you use this tenancy and 1 party on title dies, the deceased persons 1/2 must be probated to be given to their heirs. Probate is expensive & time consuming. Best tenancy to use for timeshares is Joint Tenants. If you use Tenants by the Entirety & there is a divorce, the tenancy reverts to Tenants in Common upon divorce. Sometimes a party is awarded a timeshare in the divorce & doesn't get around to doing a new deed & their ex-spouse dies. Big problems ensue.
 

LLW

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,778
Reaction score
2
Points
36
Tenancy in common also means that one partner may legally sell/transfer his/her share to a third party without the other partner's consent or even knowledge. I agree it could cause nightmares.
 

ondeadlin

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,642
Reaction score
7
Points
398
Location
Dexter, MI
Tenancy in common also means that one partner may legally sell/transfer his/her share to a third party without the other partner's consent or even knowledge. I agree it could cause nightmares.

Ahh, here we have a common misunderstanding of joint tenants with rights of survivorship.

Any member of joint tenancy can sell/transfer or mortgage their share. When they do so, it automatically turns their interest into a tenancy in common. So if three people owned property as joint tenants (let's call the A, B, C), and A mortgaged their interest, A's interest is automatically transformed into a tenancy in common and can never be transformed back. B & C would continue to own as joint tenants.

A could even petition a court to have their interest physically divided or to be paid off.

A tenancy by the entirety is only allowed in some states and only allowed between married couples. When this estate is allowed, neither partner can do anything with the interest without the other partner's consent - can't sell it, can't mortgage it, etc.
 

K2Quick

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2009
Messages
889
Reaction score
109
Points
403
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
The thread title gave me a frightening flashback to an essay question on the CPA exam several years in my past. I had the answer right and switched it just before leavng the testing center. As a result, I failed the law section on my first attempt.
 

ondeadlin

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,642
Reaction score
7
Points
398
Location
Dexter, MI
The thread title gave me a frightening flashback to an essay question on the CPA exam several years in my past. I had the answer right and switched it just before leavng the testing center. As a result, I failed the law section on my first attempt.

I'm studying for the bar exam, that's why I know it.
 

ctyatty

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2005
Messages
441
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Midwest - Love San Diego
don't take title in your personal name

I'm in the process of transferring a timeshare (to me) and am not sure I understand the difference between Joint Tenancy with Right to Survivorship vs Tenants in Common. This would be for my husband and myself. What I've read on the web is talking about real estate but I'm not sure timesharing works the same.

Any insight is welcomed!

Susan

Have a lawyer start a simple trust to hold title to the timeshare. Avoid out of state probate, passes to who you want upon death and if the TS goes south, you can just let it go because the trust won't have any assets to go after.
 

LLW

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,778
Reaction score
2
Points
36
Ahh, here we have a common misunderstanding of joint tenants with rights of survivorship.

Any member of joint tenancy can sell/transfer or mortgage their share. When they do so, it automatically turns their interest into a tenancy in common. So if three people owned property as joint tenants (let's call the A, B, C), and A mortgaged their interest, A's interest is automatically transformed into a tenancy in common and can never be transformed back. B & C would continue to own as joint tenants.

A could even petition a court to have their interest physically divided or to be paid off.

A tenancy by the entirety is only allowed in some states and only allowed between married couples. When this estate is allowed, neither partner can do anything with the interest without the other partner's consent - can't sell it, can't mortgage it, etc.

Is there a way to do the same if the partners are not married? What is the difference between T by Entirety and Community Property?
 

Talent312

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
17,461
Reaction score
7,277
Points
948
Resorts Owned
HGVC & GTS
Is there a way to do the same if the partners are not married? What is the difference between T by Entirety and Community Property?

A tenancy by the entirety is analogous to community property. Generally, in community property states, all property accumulated by a husband and wife during their marriage becomes joint property, even if acquired in the name of only one partner (except for inheritances). When one spouse dies, all the community property goes to the other, except in Texas where surviving children get one-half.
 

vacationtime1

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
5,159
Reaction score
2,750
Points
649
Location
San Francisco
Resorts Owned
WKORV-OF (Maui)
WKV x2 (Scottsdale)
Tenants in Common for timeshares is basically a nightmare. If you use this tenancy and 1 party on title dies, the deceased persons 1/2 must be probated to be given to their heirs. Probate is expensive & time consuming. Best tenancy to use for timeshares is Joint Tenants. If you use Tenants by the Entirety & there is a divorce, the tenancy reverts to Tenants in Common upon divorce. Sometimes a party is awarded a timeshare in the divorce & doesn't get around to doing a new deed & their ex-spouse dies. Big problems ensue.

Not only must a tenancy in common interest be probated, but the probate proceeding must be in the state where the real estate is located.

That means if a decedent owned tenancy in common interests in timeshares located in Florida, Hawaii, and Arizona, the executors or administrators would have to open probate proceedings in each of those states (plus the state of the decedent's residence). Not very cost effective for a bunch of $1,000 timeshare interests.

This is why owning timeshares in a trust is usually the right way to go (especially for a single person who owns multiple timeshares in multiple states).

Joint tenancy or tenancy by the entirety will avoid the probate problem on the first death, but even then, the survivor should probably transfer the timeshares into a trust.
 

e.bram

Guest
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,185
Reaction score
124
Points
399
Location
Fort Lee, NJ
ctyatty:
Does it matter which state the trust is formed in with respect to the state where the TS is, and the residence of the trustees and beneficiaries of the trust? ie. Can an out of state trust record a deed.
 

vacationtime1

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
5,159
Reaction score
2,750
Points
649
Location
San Francisco
Resorts Owned
WKORV-OF (Maui)
WKV x2 (Scottsdale)
ctyatty:
Does it matter which state the trust is formed in with respect to the state where the TS is, and the residence of the trustees and beneficiaries of the trust? ie. Can an out of state trust record a deed.

The trust is legally located where the trustee is domiciled.

A trust can own property anywhere; our California trust holds title to our timeshares in AZ, SC, and HI.
 
Last edited:

sfwilshire

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
4,131
Reaction score
243
Points
448
Location
Clinton TN
Resorts Owned
Tristram's Landing, Tree Tops Gatlinburg, Mystic Dunes, Sheraton Vistana Spas & Fountains
I'm studying for the bar exam, that's why I know it.

What state? My dd24 just registered to take North Carolina and Tennessee this summer. The NC application was a nightmare.

Sheila
 

Carolinian

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
10,644
Reaction score
936
Points
598
Location
eastern Europe
You need to talk to someone who is familiar with the law in the state where the timeshare is located, as there are quirks between various states. Note that some of the advice in this thread has limitations like ''in most states''.

For example, the North Carolina legislature years ago passed a law, which is still on the books, that abolished joint tenancy in the state. However, some years later, the state Supreme Court rendered a decision that essentially said that in spite of that statute a joint tenancy could still be created in the state if you did it a very specific way. On the rare occaisions that North Carolina lawyers create joint tenancies, they usually track the exact language approved in that case, as otherwise the vailidity of the joint tenancy is highly questionable. On the other hand, tenancy by the entirety has always been recognized in NC, and is very simple to create, by the inclusion of two words in the deed.

I have seen many deeds prepared by the out of state timeshare closing companies which use laymen in another state rather than an attorney in North Carolina to prepare deeds screw this issue up by recording deeds using joint tenancy language that does not follow the state Supreme Court's language. Instead they use something that may work fine in their own state but does not pass muster in NC. This screwup means that the buyers end up with a tenancy in common rather than the joint tenancy they wanted, which could be worse. There are other common mistakes that these closing companies make regularly which mean that the buyer ends up with an invalid deed that does not convey any valid title at all.
 

Hawaii123

newbie
Joined
Jun 13, 2005
Messages
103
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Hawaii
Good Point

You need to talk to someone who is familiar with the law in the state where the timeshare is located, as there are quirks between various states. Note that some of the advice in this thread has limitations like ''in most states''.

For example, the North Carolina legislature years ago passed a law, which is still on the books, that abolished joint tenancy in the state. However, some years later, the state Supreme Court rendered a decision that essentially said that in spite of that statute a joint tenancy could still be created in the state if you did it a very specific way. On the rare occaisions that North Carolina lawyers create joint tenancies, they usually track the exact language approved in that case, as otherwise the vailidity of the joint tenancy is highly questionable. On the other hand, tenancy by the entirety has always been recognized in NC, and is very simple to create, by the inclusion of two words in the deed.

I have seen many deeds prepared by the out of state timeshare closing companies which use laymen in another state rather than an attorney in North Carolina to prepare deeds screw this issue up by recording deeds using joint tenancy language that does not follow the state Supreme Court's language. Instead they use something that may work fine in their own state but does not pass muster in NC. This screwup means that the buyers end up with a tenancy in common rather than the joint tenancy they wanted, which could be worse. There are other common mistakes that these closing companies make regularly which mean that the buyer ends up with an invalid deed that does not convey any valid title at all.

Good Point. In which state is the timeshare located?
 
Top