How does joint tenancy with right of survivorship work in Iowa?

In Iowa, a deed to two or more people creates a tenancy in common unless it expresses a contrary intent, but a deed that names two grantees as married to each other, or uses words like "joint tenants" or "or their survivor", is presumed to create a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship unless it says otherwise. An order of annulment, dissolution or separate maintenance severs a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship and creates a tenancy in common in equal shares, unless the order provides otherwise. The section applies to instruments executed on or after January 1, 2015. It does not mention tenancy by the entirety. The words in the deed decide which kind of ownership was created, so read the deed itself. This is Iowa Code § 557.15.

WhatIowa
A deed to two or more peopleJoint tenancy for a married couple; otherwise in common
What it meansThe statute presumes survivorship for some owners

Source

Iowa Code § 557.15

Read the statute in the Iowa Code (Iowa Legislature): legis.iowa.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.

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