When buying real estate in Wisconsin, one of the items you will need to consider is how you would like to take title of the property. If you are buying the property as an individual, then this is usually not an issue; however, this item will play an important role if you buy the property with one or more co-owners. You will need to consider whether you will be joint tenants or tenants in common. Both ownership types have different aspects and characteristics, so it will be important to consider the facts and circumstances pertaining to your situation.
In the case of joint tenants, each will have an equal interest in the whole property for the duration of the joint tenancy period, regardless of different or unequal contributions at the start of the joint tenancy. Additionally, joint tenants have a right of survivorship, therefore, upon the death of one of the joint tenants, the survivor becomes the sole owner of the property.
In contrast, tenants in common each have an undivided interest in the whole property for the duration of the tenancy. Tenants in common do not need to have equal interests in the whole property. Therefore, if there is a difference in the contribution amounts, then you may take that into consideration to determine the ownership interest each tenant in common receives. Additionally, there is no right of survivorship for tenants in common. Therefore, upon the death of a tenant in common, their ownership interest will be passed to their heirs at law under Wisconsin law and/or pass via their instructions within their estate planning documents.
Because there are differences between these types of ownerships, it will be important to consider how you want to take title. You should determine if you want your ownership interests to be equal or unequal, considering any differences in the amounts contributed by each co-owner. You may also want to consider how you would want the title to pass upon the death of a co-owner. Do you want the survivor to become the sole owner or would you like your interest in the property to pass to your heirs?
Under Wisconsin Law, it is assumed that co-owners of a property own as tenants in common, unless the intention of creating a joint tenancy is expressed in the document of title, instrument of transfer or bill of sale. Furthermore, under Wisconsin law, it is assumed that tenants in common each own an equal undivided interest in the whole property, unless the intent to have different undivided ownership amounts is expressed in the document of title, instrument of transfer or bill of sale.
As a result of the differences between joint tenants and tenants in common, it may be helpful to seek the advice of a real estate attorney before purchasing the property. An attorney would be able to analyze your situation and your intentions for the property and advise you on the best manner to take title with a co-owner. Moreover, an attorney will be able to assist you in expressing the appropriate language on the document of title, instrument of transfer or bill of sale to honor your intentions and prevent future issues regarding the ownership of the property. If you have questions, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our real estate attorneys.