Good Business or Dishonest; a quick claim deed for "love and affection"?

Question

Several years ago, I agreed to sign a quick claim deed for "love and affection". My husband told me that we could get a better interest rate if my name were not on the house - I was not working at the time. After the refinance, I found out that our new lender was his mother. Since then, I have never been able to get my husband to put my name back on the the house.

When we bought the house, I was working and contributed to the down payment. I thought it would be the family homestead; a place for us to retire, the home our children could come back to in tough times. Now it appears that I have nothing. To make matters worse, he is constantly talking about selling the house.

I have been a stay at home mom for over 12 years. And now that the kids are grown, without any warning or discussion, he has stopped putting money into my account (He closed our joint account many years ago. He said it would be easier to track our expenses from one account.), and has not given me a new credit card since the old one expired.

My only source of income is money that I saved from before I quit my job - and that is down to about $3,000. He keeps telling me that I have nothing to worry about. He says that I have stock in my name and money in the bank. He also has said that if anything happens to him, everything will go to me. But I have nothing to support what he says.

I think that I should leave him. But, I have no job and no source of income.

What should I do?

Answer 1

I don't think this is a real estate question as much as a legal question as to what you might do to get part of the estate that your husband got you into signing over to you 12 years ago.

One thing you might do is sit down with your husband and explain the concerns you have with him. This should be done when the both of you are alone.

Don't take "If something happen to me you will be ok" Tell him you are concerned about your name not being on the deed and the mortgage he has with his mother.

You might also include in this conversation that you are further concerned about your name not being on the various bank accounts that is suppose to be family matters.

For any legal advice you should contact an attorney of your choice, as I am not an attorney.

I hope this has been of some use to you, good luck.

"FIGHT ON"

Answer 2

Talk to a lawyer.  Start making decisions for yourself, it sounds like he has been making decisions for himself for years.  He might be having an affair, he is keeping something from you.

Answer 3

It sounds like he is planning to seperate.

The house may still be half yours, name or no name, it depends on what state you are in.   If it is a community property state 1/2 the house and any bank accounts are yours.

I would start talking to my friends (ones that did well in a divorce) about an attorney.   You may never need one, but it is better to be prepared then to scramble for one at the last minute.

Store any documentation you find about joint money outside your house, at a friends or family.

Answer 4

Be worried.

Regardless of whether or not you're on the deed - you still have an interest in the house.

Start sticking away half the grocery money.