21. Why does our property tax bill list “J:S” after our names?

The “J:S” you see on your tax bill stands for “joint tenancy with right of survivorship.” This is a legal description of how your property is held (and the most common arrangement). It means that you and your spouse hold the property jointly, and upon the death of one spouse title (or legal ownership) passes directly to the surviving spouse. For more on this topic, and other options, contact an attorney.