What does “severing a tenancy” mean?

Severing a tenancy refers to the legal process of changing joint property ownership from Joint Tenants to Tenants in Common.

A severance is typically done during a separation or divorce to protect an individual’s property interest.

Once a Joint Tenancy is severed, this prevents your spouse from automatically receiving your share of the property if you die before a divorce is finalised.

The deceased’s share will then pass according to their Will or intestacy rules.