Which of the following describes joint tenancy in property law?

Joint tenancy is a specific form of property ownership where two or more individuals own the property together with equal rights and responsibilities. One of the defining features of joint tenancy is the right of survivorship, which means that if one owner passes away, their share of the property automatically transfers to the surviving owner(s), rather than being passed on to heirs or through a will. This arrangement creates a unified ownership structure, emphasizing the collective rights of all joint tenants rather than any individual's claim to a portion.

The other options reflect different ownership concepts. Ownership by a single individual pertains to sole ownership, which does not involve shared rights or the implications of survivorship. Separate ownership of distinct portions suggests that each co-owner has a clearly defined and separate part of the property, which is indicative of tenancy in common rather than joint tenancy. Lastly, ownership by a trust involves legal title being held by a trustee for the benefit of beneficiaries, which transforms the ownership and management dynamics distinctly compared to joint tenancy. Thus, the characteristics and implications of joint tenancy highlight the shared ownership with rights of survivorship as the core principle defining this type of property law.