Boyfriend assumed that the condo he was living in with his girlfriend and that she paid for had to add his name to the deed once they got married, even though he had never paid the mortgage: ‘He just looked surprised that I didn't immediately agree.’

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I'm 30F and bought a condo a few years before I met my fiancé. It took me forever to save for the down payment. I work in marketing in Boston and spent most of my late 20s living with roommates and cutting back on everything just to make it happen. We've been together for a little over three years and living together for almost a year. He helps with utilities and other household expenses, but I've always paid the mortgage since it's still my condo.
A couple of a man and a woman dancing together surrounded by trees. Representation.
The other night we were talking about eventually updating the kitchen. He casually mentioned that once we're married it would probably make sense to put his name on the deed if we're both going to be living there long term. I kind of froze because I had never even considered that. It's not that I don't want to spend my life with him, but this place is something I worked really hard for before we even met. He wasn't demanding or trying to
start a fight. He just looked surprised that I didn't immediately agree. Since then we haven't brought it up again, but it's been stuck in my head. I love him, but this conversation made me realize we probably weren't on the same page.
A tall building with balconies.
teresajs The two of you need to talk about it. If he wants his name on the deed, he could buy half the condo from you. But this is also a sign that the two of you should get a prenup.
Corgi Koala You should probably get a pre nup to clarify this if you think it would escalate. And remember. A prenup isn't for the person you are marrying, it's for the person you divorce.
Rounders_in_knickers It's important to check the law in your state. In parts of Canada, the home can become joint marital property (split 50-50 if divorce) just by you both living in it as a married couple, no matter who is on the deed or mortgage.
WoodpeckerConnect796 We live in Somerville and both had some assets before getting engaged so we figured it was better to have all the uncomfortable money conversations before the wedding instead of after. We ended up going through neptune for the prenup process, and if nothing else it got us talking about expectations we didn't even realize we had. Owning something before a relationship and building something together are two different things
Prudent_Border5060 I was in the same boat as you. | bought a property before I got married. My husband and I had the discussion. He said you worked hard for this. My name doesnt need to be on the deed or mortgage. This is your home. I was happy it wasn't an issue. This is something you should sit down and discuss. Maybe if you never move. But he should understand the hard work you put into this home.
BecGeoMom Here's my question to you: If you were dating your boyfriend and he owned his own home, wouldn't you expect to be put on the deed after you were married? If you were going to live there for, conceivably, the rest of your life, have children, raise a family, wouldn't you want to know the home you lived in was equally yours? What if something happened to him, and your name is nowhere on the deed? I don't know what happens legally, but if his family wanted to
fight you on that, I'm thinking they could. Your husband, your family, the only home you'd ever know, and you could lose it because your name isn't on the deed. I get that you worked hard to buy that condo, and you should be proud of that. But if you want to marry this man, I'm not sure I understand why you are so opposed to his name being on the deed of the house you both share? Are you planning to get divorced? Are you planning to keep all your money separate even after
you marry? I know people do that, although I don't understand it. You're not roommates, you're husband and wife. If something happens to you, unless you have a will where you give him the house, he won't have a home. You are going to live there together, maybe raise children, become a family, and you don't want him to have any claim to the home he will be living in with you. I think if it were me, I'd never really feel like it was *my* home. I wouldn't put his name on before you're married, or b
you expect to be married to him forever, you should give it serious thought. Or buy a house together, and turn your condo into a rental unit in your name.
swingorswole men confront this issue quite often. just have the pre-marriage property conversation. unless i'm mistaken, every state is clear that "property you had before marriage is only your property." that said, if you want to maintain full ownership, instead of him paying you rent or helping with the mortgage, have him handle the other bills like groceries and utilities. all that being said, if he pays for an upgrades including a kitchen
remodel, even part of one, you are going to muddy the water legally if you later sell the house and/or get a divorce.
Dr_Buckshot_ I understand where you're coming from and I think it makes sense that you wouldn't want to put his name on it. If my partner told me they didn't want to put my name on their home, I would be OK with it, but I also wouldn't contribute to any sort of remodeling if I'm not also earning equity.

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