When a single individual or entity owns a fee or life estate in real property, the type of ownership is

When a single individual or entity owns a fee or life estate in real property, the type of ownership is

• A. tenancy in severalty
• B. tenancy by the entireties
• C. absolute fee simple
• D. legal fee simple

Answer: (A)

Tenancy in severalty describes ownership by a single person or entity. When that lone owner holds a fee simple or a life estate, they are the sole titleholder, with all rights and responsibilities, unlike forms that involve multiple owners. This single-ownership form contrasts with tenancy by the entireties, which is for married couples as one legal unit with survivorship, and with co-ownership forms like tenancy in common or joint tenancy, where more than one owner is listed. The phrase fee simple refers to the extent of the ownership (the broadest possible ownership interest), and it can be held in severalty, reinforcing that the key idea is one owner.

Tenancy in severalty describes ownership by a single person or entity. When that lone owner holds a fee simple or a life estate, they are the sole titleholder, with all rights and responsibilities, unlike forms that involve multiple owners. This single-ownership form contrasts with tenancy by the entireties, which is for married couples as one legal unit with survivorship, and with co-ownership forms like tenancy in common or joint tenancy, where more than one owner is listed. The phrase fee simple refers to the extent of the ownership (the broadest possible ownership interest), and it can be held in severalty, reinforcing that the key idea is one owner.