Many times bank or brokerage statements will indicate survivorship language on their account statements. They often list two names, followed by the designation "JTWROS," "CPWROS," "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 card that was signed when the account was opened (or when someone's name was added to the account), not the description of the account in the account 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.