What typically determines the survivorship rights in joint tenancy?

Survivorship rights in joint tenancy are rooted in the principle that all co-owners have equal rights to the property. This means that when one co-owner dies, their share of the property automatically passes to the surviving co-owners, rather than being transferred through probate or according to the deceased owner's will. This automatic transfer occurs because joint tenancy includes the right of survivorship as one of its key features.

In contrast, the other options focus on aspects that do not fundamentally govern the nature of joint tenancy. For instance, while approval from a local court might be relevant in specific legal processes, it is not a determinant of survivorship rights in joint tenancy arrangements. Similarly, an agreement made prior to ownership could potentially alter ownership structures but does not inherently dictate the survivorship aspect of joint tenancy, which is established by default under law. Lastly, state laws on property ownership provide the framework within which joint tenancy operates, but the principle of equal rights among co-owners is what directly informs the concept of survivorship in this ownership type.