What must be unified in a tenancy by the entirety?

In a tenancy by the entirety, the ownership must include the four unities of time, title, interest, and possession, as well as the additional unity of marriage. This form of co-ownership is specifically designed for married couples and recognizes their shared rights in property.

The four unities are essential because they ensure that both spouses hold an equal and undivided interest in the property at the same time, with the same legal title, and with identical ownership rights. The unity of marriage serves to emphasize that this tenancy is exclusive to legally married individuals, which is what distinguishes it from other forms of ownership like joint tenancies or tenancies in common.

Understanding these requirements is crucial for recognizing the complexities and protections that tenancy by the entirety offers to married couples, including the right of survivorship and the inability of creditors to seize the property to satisfy one spouse's individual debts. This unique combination of legal principles ensures that both partners are afforded security in their shared property while married.