Homeowner Information for Chattanooga & North Georgia Property Owners

How you hold title to your property affects your taxes, your rights if you co-own with someone else, and what happens to the property when you pass away. This page is a general overview — for a decision this important, it's always worth a quick conversation with a real estate attorney about what's right for your specific situation.

How You Take Title Matters

When you purchase a property, you'll decide how title is "vested" — in other words, whose name(s) are on it and in what form.

Sole Ownership

Title held by one person alone, such as "Jane Buyer, an unmarried woman" or "John Buyer, a single man."

Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship

Two or more people own the property together, and when one owner passes away, their share automatically transfers to the surviving owner(s) — without going through probate.

Tenancy in Common

Two or more owners hold undivided shares (which don't have to be equal), and each owner's share can be sold, transferred, or left to heirs independently.

Tenancy by the Entirety

Available to married couples in Tennessee, this form provides additional protection — including some protection from a creditor of just one spouse — and includes automatic survivorship rights.

Trust or Partnership Ownership

Property can also be held in the name of a trust (managed by a trustee for named beneficiaries) or a partnership.

Things to Note

Tennessee and Georgia are not community-property states, so that form of ownership (common in states like California or Texas) doesn't apply here.