Which of the following describes a characteristic of tenancy by entirety?

Tenancy by entirety is a form of joint ownership available only to married couples, which holds several distinct characteristics. One of the key aspects is that each spouse is considered to own the whole property, not just a share of it. This means that neither spouse can independently claim ownership of half or any subdivided portion; instead, each spouse has an equal and full right to the property as a whole.

This characteristic is important because it illustrates how property is treated in the context of marriage—there is a unity of ownership that underscores the legal and financial partnership between spouses. In the event of a divorce or death, the property does not get divided into equal parts; it remains intact and is addressed according to specific estate laws. This form of tenancy also provides additional legal protections, such as shielding the property from creditors of one spouse. Therefore, the description that each spouse owns the whole property correctly captures the essence of tenancy by entirety.