Joint ownership / death of one owner

me_right_one

Myself and a business partner recently purchased a property between us. The property is currently being transferred into our joint name. I suppose my question has four parts. What happens if:

A) My business partner dies and leaves no will
He dies and leaves his half to me
C) He dies and leaves his half to someone else
D) He dies while the property is still being transferred to us and all documents are with the property registration authority


All thoughts and comments greatly appreciated.

Laura79

It depends on whether you own as joint tenants or tenants in common.

If you own as joint tenants and one of you dies before the tenancy has been severed, then the survivor automatically inherits. If you own as tenants in common, then each owner can dispose of their interest as they wish. So, if your partner chooses to leave the share by will s/he can, if they die without a will, then the laws of intestacy apply.

eagle_&_bear

Practitioners are prohibited from giving you advice on the matter but you might get help from books like

Wylie on Land Law or the Law Society Land/Property law book. or even the nutshell on irish land law. you get it in hodges figgis and waterstones around 20euro

it will answer your question. Look at the chapter on Joint Tenancy/ Tenancy in Common