Many unmarried couples (either same sex or opposite sex) use joint tenancy with right of survivorship as a way to transfer their respective ownership shares to their partner. Most estate-planning laws are oriented toward "traditional" families (a married couple, 2.53 children, and so on). If you're in an unmarried relationship and you co-own your home with your partner, then joint tenancy with right of survivorship may be an ideal way to protect your partner's right to stay in the home after you die (and vice versa). You'll be protected even though the law doesn't recognize your relationship in the same way as — and with the same rights of — a married couple.