How does joint tenancy with right of survivorship work in Alaska?
In Alaska, a conveyance of land to two or more people creates a tenancy in common and joint tenancy in real property is abolished, except that a married couple acquiring title holds it as tenants by the entirety unless the conveyance expressly declares otherwise. Joint tenancy is abolished except for interests in personal property and tenancy by the entirety, so people other than spouses who own undivided interests in real property are tenants in common. A husband and wife who acquire title hold as tenants by the entirety, which carries the right of survivorship, unless the conveyance expressly declares otherwise, and the conveyance must recite the marital status of the people taking title. A spouse may convey to self and the other spouse as tenants by the entirety or as tenants in common. Property held in a community property trust under AS 34.77.100 is an exception to both rules. The words in the deed decide which kind of ownership was created, so read the deed itself. This is Alaska Stat. §§ 34.15.110, 34.15.130, 34.15.140.
| What | Alaska |
|---|---|
| A deed to two or more people | Tenancy in common; married couples hold by the entirety |
| What it means | Tenancy in common unless the deed declares survivorship |
Source
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.15.110, 34.15.130, 34.15.140
Read the statute in the Alaska Statutes (Alaska Legislature): akleg.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
An owner on Seayora keeps each property’s owners of record, its entity and its documents in one place, so who holds title and how is on file beside the leases and the books.
Guides on this rule
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The same question in other states
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