Married and moving to a new home - sole or joint mortgage?

Lambchopper

Hi all, my first thread here.  I've read a couple of thread on related topics but there's been different (and specific) circumstances so I thought I'd ask afresh.   My wife and I have been married for a couple of years now and have one child.  We've decided to move from the home we live in, which is in my name (she sold her house to move in with me), to a bigger property.  We've had an offer accepted and are just sorting the mortgage.   Initially I was under the (incorrect) view I could port across my existing mortgage rate for the entire value so was going to keep the mortgage in my name to make it run a bit more quickly/smoothly.  However, when I've discovered that my understanding of porting wasn't correct I've decided to just go with a 5 year fixed rate.  
The question now becomes, shall I continue with the mortgage in just my name, or should I add my wife to it too?   It shouldn't make a difference to the loan amount as I can get what I need with a sole application.  My wife and I will be down as joint owners of the property.   So the question becomes - are there clear pros and cons with having a sole or a joint mortgage in these circumstances?   I'm leaning towards shared because I prefer the idea of shared debt rather than it all being on my shoulders, but I'm not planning our future on the basis of potential break-ups either.   
Is anyone able to offer any views on this?
Thanks in advance

Meh123

I’d speak to a mortgage advisor to be absolutely certain of the legalities. Although I’m sure that even if the mortgage was solely in your name you’d still consider her an equal owner, it may not be that simple legally. Personally I’d only have a joint mortgage with my husband where we’re joint owners. That way (and due to our life insurance policies) if one of us passes then the mortgage is paid off and the other gets automatic full ownership of the property. It’s a grim way to have to think about it but just make sure that your wife would be fully protected and not in a vulnerable place if the worst was to happen to you. 

ACG

You are married, so if you were to split up I assume your wife could still make a claim on the property.
If it is solely in your name and you die, ok you may have life insurance so she can pay off the mortgage, but she still has the hassle of dealing with a mortgage she is not named on and getting everything put in her name.

I can not think of many times where it makes sense to do a single application for a married couple - and some lenders will not allow it.