House joint ownership

[shero101]

The earlier question and reply has prompted me to query this. If you have a joint savings account with someone and they die, then on production of the death certificate the name will be removed and you are then entitled to the whole amount. Is this not the same principle with joint ownerhip of a house ? If a partner dies then their name would be removed and the property would then be owned by the serviving partner (this exmaple assumes no will and the couple are umarried). Where do you with this ?

[Whickerman]

It's not that straight forward with a joint account, esp in the UK. See: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cto/customerguide/page7 .htm#4

It seems the portion paid in by the deceased is considered part of the estate and could be frozen until probate.

[themas]

If a house is owned as a joint tenancy then - on death of one owner - it does go automatically to the surviving owner and is not part of the deceased's estate for distribution to beneficiaries. However, the value of the deceased's share is included in the estate for inheritance tax purposes.

If the house was owned as tenants in common then the deceased's share is included in his/her estate for distribution to beneficiaries.