What does "survivorship" refer to in joint ownership scenarios?

In joint ownership scenarios, "survivorship" specifically refers to the right of remaining owners to inherit the share of a deceased owner. This concept is most commonly associated with joint tenancy, where co-owners share ownership of a property, and upon the death of one owner, their interest automatically passes to the surviving joint owners, rather than going through probate or being inherited by heirs. This is a significant feature of joint tenancy because it simplifies the transfer of property and ensures that the ownership remains within the group of joint owners without external claims or lengthy legal processes.

The other options, while they may touch on aspects of property ownership, do not accurately capture the essence of survivorship. For example, equal division of responsibilities among owners addresses management aspects of shared property but does not pertain to the transfer of ownership upon death. Obligations to maintain the property are related to the duties of ownership but again, do not define survivorship. Lastly, while there are legal requirements concerning property transfer, survivorship itself specifically designates the automatic transfer of ownership rights upon the death of one of the joint owners.