Which ownership arrangement allows a property to pass automatically to heirs upon the owner's death?

The ownership arrangement that allows a property to pass automatically to heirs upon the owner's death is joint tenancy. In a joint tenancy agreement, multiple owners hold an equal share of the property, and it includes the right of survivorship. This means that if one owner passes away, their share of the property automatically transfers to the surviving co-owners, rather than becoming part of the deceased's estate.

In contrast, tenants in common possess individual shares of the property, and upon death, an owner's share would be transferred according to their will or state inheritance laws, rather than automatically going to the other tenants. Tenancy by the entireties is a form of joint ownership for married couples that also includes the right of survivorship but is specific to marriage. A life estate grants ownership for the duration of someone's life, after which the property will go to a remainder beneficiary, but does not allow for direct transfer to heirs in the same way that joint tenancy does.