What title holding method allows the deceased owner's interest to pass automatically to the surviving owner?

The method of title holding that allows the deceased owner's interest to pass automatically to the surviving owner is known as joint tenancy. This form of ownership creates a special relationship between the co-owners, where they hold equal shares of the property and have the right of survivorship. When one owner dies, their share does not go through probate; instead, it automatically transfers to the surviving owner or owners. This characteristic distinguishes joint tenancy from other forms of ownership.

In contrast, tenancy in common allows each owner to hold their share independently, meaning that upon death, a deceased owner's share can be passed on according to their will or state inheritance laws, rather than automatically transferring to the other owners. Tenancy for years pertains to a leasehold interest for a specific duration and does not involve co-ownership or survivorship. Holding property in severalty means an individual owner holds title solely, which does not involve the automatic passing of interest upon death as applicable in joint tenancy.