Which of the following is a characteristic of joint tenancy?

A characteristic of joint tenancy is the rights of survivorship, which is a defining feature of this form of property ownership. Under joint tenancy, when one owner passes away, their share of the property automatically transfers to the remaining joint tenants, rather than being passed on through a will or according to the laws of intestacy. This aspect allows for a seamless transfer of ownership without the need for probate, ensuring that the surviving tenants retain full control and ownership of the property.

The other options highlight misunderstanding about joint tenancy. The structure of joint tenancy requires that all parties have equal shares in the ownership of the property, making unequal shares not applicable. Additionally, joint tenants do have the right to sell or transfer their share, although this might affect the joint tenancy if one party decides to sell. Lastly, while joint tenancy involves multiple owners, the essence of its definition revolves around the equal ownership and rights of survivorship, rather than simply ownership by multiple entities.