For the beneficial interest, given unequal contributions, what is the most appropriate form of ownership?

• A. Joint tenants
• B. Tenants in common equal shares
• C. Tenants in common unequal shares
• D. Trusts

Answer: (C)

When co-owners contribute unequally, the ownership structure should reflect distinct, proportional interests rather than an automatic right of survivorship. Joint tenancy requires four unities and typically delivers equal shares with a right of survivorship; that means the surviving owner ends up with the whole property, which doesn’t fit a situation where contributions differ.

Tenants in common allows each party to hold a defined, potentially unequal share. This aligns with unequal contributions because you can specify shares that represent what each person put in. There’s no right of survivorship, so a deceased owner’s share passes according to their will or intestacy, not to the other co-owner. This is usually arranged by an express declaration of trust or a deed that sets out the unequal shares.

Therefore, the most appropriate form of ownership in this scenario is tenants in common with unequal shares.