What type of property ownership allows for unequal shares?

Tenancy in common is the correct answer because it is a form of co-ownership where two or more people hold title to a property together, but each person can own a different percentage or share of the property. This means that one owner might have a 50% interest, while another might own only 25%, or any other unequal distribution that the co-owners agree upon.

This flexibility allows individuals to invest different amounts in the property, tailoring their ownership interest based on their contributions or agreements. When one owner passes away, their share can be transferred to their heirs rather than automatically passing to the other owners, as is the case in joint tenancy.

In contrast, joint tenancy requires that all owners have equal shares and rights to the property, which eliminates the possibility of unequal ownership interests. A life estate is a different arrangement where a person has rights to the property for the duration of their life, after which the ownership reverts to another party. Community property refers to a marital property agreement where both spouses have equal ownership of assets acquired during the marriage, but again does not allow for unequal shares. Thus, tenancy in common is unique in its allowance for unequal ownership shares among co-owners.