A source deed identifying Grantees as husband and wife in PA is interpreted as what type of ownership?

In Pennsylvania, when a deed identifies grantees as husband and wife, it is interpreted as tenancy by the entireties. This form of ownership is specifically designed for married couples and offers unique legal protections. One of the distinguishing features of tenancy by the entireties is that it treats the couple as a single legal entity. This means that neither spouse can independently dispose of the property; both must agree to any transfer, sale, or encumbrance of the property.

Additionally, tenancy by the entireties provides a degree of protection against creditors. If one spouse incurs debt, the property owned as tenants by the entireties cannot be seized by creditors of one spouse alone, thus safeguarding the interests of the other spouse.

In contrast, joint tenancy and tenancy in common do not provide the same protections or requirements. In joint tenancy, for example, there exists the right of survivorship, allowing one owner to inherit the property directly from the other upon their death, regardless of marital status. Tenancy in common allows for more flexibility concerning ownership shares but does not provide the same protections that tenancy by the entireties does for married couples. Community property, while relevant in some states, is not recognized in Pennsylvania and thus does not apply in this context.