Dec52025
Guardianship Q&A Series

If the home is jointly titled with survivorship rights and my relative holds the larger share, who can legally start an eviction? – North Carolina

Short Answer

Under North Carolina law, each joint owner with a right to survivorship has an equal right to possess the entire home, regardless of who owns the larger share. Because cotenants share possession, one cotenant usually cannot use a normal eviction case to remove another cotenant. An eviction (summary ejectment) is generally available only against a tenant or other occupant without an ownership right; disputes between co-owners are usually handled through partition or related real-property actions, not standard eviction.

Understanding the Problem

The question here is narrow: under North Carolina guardianship and real-property rules, when a home is jointly titled with rights of survivorship and one relative owns a larger share, who is legally allowed to start an eviction case to remove an occupant? The focus is on the legal authority to bring a removal action when more than one person holds title to the home. This comes up often when an older adult or a person under a guardianship shares title with a family member, and conflict develops about who can remain in the property.

Apply the Law

North Carolina law treats most co-owners of real estate as “cotenants” (either joint tenants or tenants in common). Each cotenant has a right to use and possess the entire property, even if ownership shares are unequal. Ordinary eviction (called summary ejectment) is aimed at tenants or other non-owners, not at removing another cotenant with the same possessory rights. When cotenants cannot agree, state law provides partition and related remedies rather than standard eviction.

Key Requirements

  • Shared right of possession: Each cotenant, including a joint tenant with survivorship rights, has a legal right to enter, occupy, and use the whole property, subject to the equal rights of the other cotenants.
  • Eviction is for non-owners or tenants: A summary ejectment case in small claims or district court is generally available only when an owner (or landlord) seeks to remove a person who does not share title, such as a tenant or guest who will not leave.
  • Co-owner disputes use partition or ouster actions: When cotenants disagree about possession or use, the remedy is typically a partition action, or in some situations an ouster-related claim, not a standard eviction.

What the Statutes Say

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: With a jointly titled home that includes survivorship rights, both owners are cotenants with an equal right to possess the entire property. Even if one relative holds a larger ownership share, North Carolina law does not grant that person a superior right of possession over the other cotenant. Because a cotenant is not a mere tenant, a standard eviction action is usually not the correct tool to remove that person. Instead, a co-owner who wants to change living arrangements would look to partition or other real-property actions, and, if a guardianship is involved, potentially seek court direction through the guardianship case.

Process & Timing

  1. Who files: A cotenant who wants to resolve a dispute over a jointly owned home. Where: Petition for partition is filed in the Superior Court in the North Carolina county where the property sits. What: A verified partition petition identifying all cotenants and any liens. When: Any time a cotenant wishes the court to divide or sell the property when the co-owners cannot agree.
  2. The court reviews the petition, joins all necessary parties, and determines whether partition in kind (physical division) or partition by sale is appropriate; this stage can take several months and timing varies by county caseload and the need for appraisals or commissioners.
  3. After the court orders partition or sale and the process is completed, the court enters a final order or confirmation of sale; that order adjusts each cotenant’s rights and may effectively end shared possession, which can eliminate the need for any eviction against a co-owner.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

  • If one occupant on title is not actually a cotenant (for example, they never became an owner of record), an owner with proper title may be able to file a summary ejectment as a landlord or owner against a non-owner occupant.
  • Calling a co-owner a “tenant” in a lease or informal agreement does not automatically turn that person into someone who can be evicted if they still hold record title.
  • Failing to name and serve all cotenants in a partition or related action can delay the case or require refiling; North Carolina law expects all co-owners to be joined.
  • In guardianship situations, a guardian’s power to act for a ward regarding the home typically requires court oversight and compliance with guardianship orders; acting without proper authority can lead to challenges or personal liability.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, when a home is jointly titled with survivorship rights, each owner is a cotenant with an equal right to possess the entire property, even if one holds a larger share. Because cotenants share possession, one co-owner generally cannot use ordinary eviction to remove another co-owner. Instead, a cotenant who wants to change or end shared possession should file an appropriate real-property action, most commonly a partition petition in Superior Court, to have the court resolve the ownership and possession dispute.

Talk to a Guardianship Attorney

If a jointly titled home and a North Carolina guardianship are creating conflict about who can stay in the property, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help explain co-owner rights, partition options, and court procedures. Call us today at 919-341-7055.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.

Category: Guardianship Q&A Series

Author: jpierce

Attorney Jared Pierce is the founder of Pierce Law Group in Raleigh, North Carolina, a firm he established with a dedicated focus on probate administration and estate planning across North Carolina. Born and raised in the Republic of South Africa, Jared moved to Durham with his family in 2001, bringing with him a rich cultural background and a distinctive accent that often serves as a conversation starter.