Assistance with understanding a Will

[Shortie]

I hope somone can help here (- perhaps I am just being a little dim?). I have a copy of a Will written in 1940 and there is something I cannot quite grasp.

Initially, there are two bequests to this lady's grandchildren - understood completely.

Then comes the main part, where ' I give devise and bequeath all my other property whatsoever and wheresoever unto my three daughters ..................(named)............ in equal shares as tenants in common'.

Now I understand all up to 'equal shares', but why 'tenants in common'? I am not sure if she owned her properly, but her daughters had all got private houses of their own, so this bit leaves me wondering.

Can anyone help please?

 

[Mike Fisher]

tenants in common means that each own a third and that their third can be passed on to their hiers should they die. The other way is joint tenants where the whole is owned by the three of them, if one dies the whole belongs to the remaining two. (I think)

 

[Mike Fisher]

the equal shares bit is needed because using tenants in common it can be split any way you want i.e. the eldest gets half and the other two each get a quarter.
There are no shares in joint tenants.

 

[Shortie]

Ah, thanks Mike, I understand that now, at least I think I do. However, the equal shares bit came first, but I understand about it passing on to their heirs.