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(2) If the consent/participation of the other owner is required, he agrees to and, if necessary, participates in its disposal. NOTE: Joint ownership of real property by persons who are not married is tenancy-in-common. These interests are not countable. (Spouses may also own property as tenants-in-common, but absent a legally binding agreement to that effect, joint ownership of real property by spouses is as tenants-by-entirety. Refer to Definitions Relating to Real Property, in VII below.) 3. Obtaining Consent If the a/b or financially responsible person jointly owns a resource with a person who is not financially responsible for the a/b and it requires the consent and participation of the other owner to dispose of the resource, verify with the other owner if he will consent to and participate in disposing of the resource. This situation may occur when spouses own property as tenants-by-entirety but a separated and property division has not been accomplished. It may occur when a liquid asset requires the signatures of two persons to be accessed. NOTE: The consent and participation of other tenants-in-common is not required for another tenant-in-common to dispose of his tenancy-in-common interest in real property. a. Application Requirements If the other owner: • Consents to disposal - count the resource. • Refuses to dispose - do not count the resource. • Does not respond or cannot be located - do not count. Follow policy in MA-2304, Processing the Application, that is related to inability to locate the applicant before excluding the resource. Document all attempts to locate. If you learn of the other owner’s death, contact his family to determine the disposition of the resource and who, if anyone, is the current owner. NOTE: Refer to MA-2304, Processing the Application, for notice requirements. b. Redetermination/Change in Situation Requirements (1) Attempt to re-verify the other owner’s willingness to consent or participate. Allow 12 calendar days for the other owner to respond. 15