How to handle title

[Sam Dal]

Folks - if I buy a property today (pre-marriage) with a large 30% down-payment, will this down-payment be protected in a divorce settlement 5 years down the line? After getting married in 6 months, I'll be adding my wife to the title

Or will a judge see two people on the title and simply say property belongs to both equally in spite of me being the sole contributor to the down-payment

Thanks

[Bill Gulley]

Generally, property acquired prior to the marriage is seperate, you should earn income and have your account, pay the mortgage to keep it seperate, otherwise you'll be paying with co-mingled funds. If you put her in title, then you'd have it as part of the division of property. There is also an issue of any marital interest. See an attorney.

But I suggest you not get married, if you're thinking of divorce before the marriage, I'd say there is a problem already. :)