What happens to the title in a case of joint tenancy if one party dies?

In a joint tenancy, when one party dies, the principle of survivorship comes into play. This means that the deceased party's interest in the property automatically passes to the surviving joint tenant. This transfer of title occurs without the need for probate or any court intervention, and the surviving tenant does not acquire any additional obligations regarding the property. The essential characteristic of joint tenancy is the equal ownership and the right of survivorship, which is the key reason why the surviving tenant automatically receives full title to the property.

The other options describe scenarios that do not align with the nature of joint tenancy. For instance, the first option suggests that the property would go to the deceased’s estate, which is contrary to the fundamental aspect of joint tenancy. Similarly, the third option implies that the surviving tenant must address liens before taking title, which complicates the typically automatic transfer of title. Lastly, selling the property to cover debts as suggested in the fourth option does not reflect how title transfer operates in a joint tenancy situation, as debts are not tied to the property but rather to the deceased individual. Thus, recognizing the automatic nature of title transfer under joint tenancy is crucial in understanding this concept.