Single, Unmarried, Widow/Widower: All of these are options for individuals. “Single” means you’ve never been married, whereas “unmarried” means you were previously married and are now single (either through divorce or death). If your spouse died, you also have the option of choosing “widow” or “widower” instead of “unmarried”, but these terms aren’t commonly used in modern vesting.
Married as Sole and Separate Property: This option is used if the property is owned by someone who is married, but their spouse doesn't have any community property rights to the title (e.g., the property was inherited, the spouse has signed a deed to relinquish their rights, etc.). If the property was inherited and an Interspousal Transfer Deed hasn’t been signed, an escrow company may require the spouse to sign one to guarantee clear title before completing any future transactions.
Tenants-in-Common: This option is available when there are two or more owners, but ownership interests do not have to be equal (unlike joint tenancy). However, even if the ownership is unequal, each owner has equal right to possess the whole property. There’s also no right of survivorship by co-owners, so your portion of the property passes to your beneficiaries upon your death.
Joint Tenants: This option is available when there are two or more owners. The main benefit of joint tenancy is that when one owner dies, their portion passes directly to the surviving co-owner(s) without going through probate. Unlike community property, the owners don’t need to be a couple. However, joint tenancy requires that all owners have equal shares (one owner can’t have a larger percentage than the others).
Community Property: This option is only available to married couples and registered domestic partnerships. It gives the surviving spouse/partner the tax advantage of receiving a “stepped-up basis” on the entire property (instead of only on the deceased spouse’s half of the property, which is the stepped-up basis for properties held in joint tenancy). Stepped-up basis is the raising of the cost basis to the market value at the date of death, thereby minimizing the capital gains taxes owed if the asset is later sold. It’s important to note that although California recognizes registered domestic partnerships, federal law only recognizes married couples, so only married couples will be able to claim the higher stepped-up basis on their federal taxes.
Community Property With Right of Survivorship: Adding “with right of survivorship” gives married couples and registered domestic partnerships all the tax advantages of community property while also incorporating the automatic inheritance rights of joint tenancy. Spouses who own property as “community property” (without the “survivorship” vesting) can Will their half to someone other than the surviving spouse.
Revocable Trust: Vesting title in a living trust allows you (as the Trustee) to have full control of your property during your lifetime, then pass your property and other assets to your beneficiaries upon death without needing to go through probate. This option is available for both individuals and couples.Single, Unmarried, Widow/Widower: All of these are options for individuals. “Single” means you’ve never been married, whereas “unmarried” means you were previously married and are now single (either through divorce or death). If your spouse died, you also have the option of choosing “widow” or “widower” instead of “unmarried”, but these terms aren’t commonly used in modern vesting.

Married as Sole and Separate Property: This option is used if the property is owned by someone who is married, but their spouse doesn't have any community property rights to the title (e.g., the property was inherited, the spouse has signed a deed to relinquish their rights, etc.). If the property was inherited and an Interspousal Transfer Deed hasn’t been signed, an escrow company may require the spouse to sign one to guarantee clear title before completing any future transactions.

Tenants-in-Common: This option is available when there are two or more owners, but ownership interests do not have to be equal (unlike joint tenancy). However, even if the ownership is unequal, each owner has equal right to possess the whole property. There’s also no right of survivorship by co-owners, so your portion of the property passes to your beneficiaries upon your death.

Joint Tenants: This option is available when there are two or more owners. The main benefit of joint tenancy is that when one owner dies, their portion passes directly to the surviving co-owner(s) without going through probate. Unlike community property, the owners don’t need to be a couple. However, joint tenancy requires that all owners have equal shares (one owner can’t have a larger percentage than the others).

Community Property: This option is only available to married couples and registered domestic partnerships. It gives the surviving spouse/partner the tax advantage of receiving a “stepped-up basis” on the entire property (instead of only on the deceased spouse’s half of the property, which is the stepped-up basis for properties held in joint tenancy). Stepped-up basis is the raising of the cost basis to the market value at the date of death, thereby minimizing the capital gains taxes owed if the asset is later sold. It’s important to note that although California recognizes registered domestic partnerships, federal law only recognizes married couples, so only married couples will be able to claim the higher stepped-up basis on their federal taxes.

Community Property With Right of Survivorship: Adding “with right of survivorship” gives married couples and registered domestic partnerships all the tax advantages of community property while also incorporating the automatic inheritance rights of joint tenancy. Spouses who own property as “community property” (without the “survivorship” vesting) can Will their half to someone other than the surviving spouse.

Revocable Trust: Vesting title in a living trust allows you (as the Trustee) to have full control of your property during your lifetime, then pass your property and other assets to your beneficiaries upon death without needing to go through probate. This option is available for both individuals and couples.