Many times bank or brokerage statements will indicate survivorship language on their account statements. They often list two names, followed by the designation "JTWROS," "Jt. w/ Surv.," "Jt. Ten." or with some other indication of survivorship. However, not all survivorship accounts are so clearly labeled. More importantly, survivorship is governed by the account agreement or signature cards that were signed when the account was opened (or when someone’s name was added to the account), not the description of the account on the statement. The only way to be sure a joint account is not a survivorship account is to obtain and review a copy of the account agreement or signature card.