Tenancies in Missouri
Contents
Overview
Missouri recognized the three main forms of common law tenancies. The rules governing their creation and operation in Missouri are similar to the majority of those in other states that recognize all three.
Tenancy by the Entirety
Married couples automatically take title as tenants by the entirety in Missouri absent any language to the contrary. MO Rev Stat § 442.450.
Creation Language
There is no special language for the creation of a tenancy by the entirety. It is created automatically when a married couple takes title. It is suggested to specially add the tenancy in any deed and to indicate the marital status of the grantees such as "husband and wife" in any deed.
Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship
Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship is recognized in Missouri, but the intent to create such a tenancy must be expressly stated in the deed or other document creating the interest. MO Rev Stat § 442.450.
Creation Language
There are several cases that present a mixed bag of whether or not certain language, sometimes erroneously used, will still show sufficient intent to create a joint tenancy:
- (1961) Deed drawn by layman conveying land to mother and daughter “as tenants by entirety and to the survivor of them”, and repeating such language in the quitclaim provision and in the habendum clause created a joint tenancy in mother and daughter. Powers v. Buckowitz (Mo.), 347 S.W.2d 174.
- (1962) Land devised to three people “to share equally and to the survivors of them” created a joint life tenancy in devisees with a contingent remainder in the survivor, and no joint tenant can by conveyance, partition or otherwise destroy the right of survivorship. Johnson v. Woodard (A.), 356 S.W.2d 526.
- (1967) The use of the words “as tenants by the entirety” in relation to two persons who are not husband and wife creates no presumption of a joint tenancy. Horton v. Estate of Elmore (A.), 420 S.W.2d 48.
Tenancy in Common
Tenancy in Common is recognized in Missouri as the default manner in which two or more grantees take title unless otherwise stated. MO Rev Stat § 442.450.
