Which form is described as possession, interest, time, and title (PITT) and is illegal in Louisiana due to forced heirship laws?

• A. Tenancy in Common
• B. Community Property
• C. Joint Tenancy
• D. Co-Operatives

Answer: (C)

PITT describes the four unities—possession, interest, time, and title—that must be present to create a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship. When these unities exist, all owners share equal ownership, and upon the death of one owner, their interest automatically passes to the surviving co-owners.

In Louisiana, forced heirship laws require certain heirs to receive a portion of a deceased person’s estate. A true joint tenancy with right of survivorship would transfer the deceased owner’s share directly to the surviving owners, bypassing those heirs. That survivorship feature conflicts with Louisiana’s forced heirship rules, so this form cannot be used there.

Other forms listed do not rely on the survivorship that triggers the issue with forced heirs: tenancy in common has no right of survivorship and can pass by will or inheritance to heirs; community property follows a different regime between spouses; co-operatives involve ownership through shares in a corporation rather than direct joint ownership with survivorship.