How can joint tenancy be severed?

Joint tenancy can be severed through a deed or partition, which means that one co-tenant can take action to change the nature of the ownership from joint tenancy to tenancy in common. A deed could involve one co-tenant conveying their interest to another party, thereby breaking the joint tenancy arrangement. A partition is a legal process that divides the property, allowing the co-tenants to each take their share separately, terminating the joint tenancy.

The other options do not accurately reflect the ways joint tenancy can be severed. While a court ruling could potentially address disputes about property ownership, it is not a necessary condition for severing joint tenancy. The death of one co-tenant does not sever the tenancy; rather, it typically results in the remaining co-tenants automatically inheriting the deceased's interest, thus keeping the joint tenancy intact. Lastly, the consent of all parties is not a requirement for severing joint tenancy, as one party can initiate the severance independently through deed or partition.