Final answer:
Upon the death of an individual who owns property as a tenant in common, state intestacy laws dictate the distribution of the deceased's share to their heirs, requiring documentation like a death certificate and possible probate court proceedings.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an individual who is a tenant in common passes away without a will or trust (intestate), the distribution of their property is subject to state intestacy laws. The deceased person's interest in the property does not automatically transfer to the surviving tenants in common but instead will pass to their heirs as determined by the state's laws.
These laws typically prioritize the deceased's closest relatives, such as the spouse, children, parents, and siblings, in a specific order of succession. The required documentation for the death of an individual usually includes a death certificate, and legal proceedings may involve the probate court to appropriately handle the deceased's estate.