My name on the deed

acowlet

My partner and I are engaged but as of yet unmarried. We’re looking at houses together with the intention of buying a starter home, as we’re looking to start a family in the next two years once married. My partner is concerned about my name being on the deed to the house as he will be contributing solely to the mortgage and down payment, and before we’re married is conscious that I could be entitled to half the value of the house if anything went awry. On the other hand I’m not comfortable moving into a house that I could be living in for 10 years where I’m not even named on the deed, especially as I will be bringing children into said house. Is my partners concern founded, and could that really be a risk if I haven’t contributed anything and we’re unmarried? Thank you. 

RAS

If you are married but not on the deeds, the financial settlement will look at all assets of the marriage regardless of ownership.

Short marriages tend to return people to the situation prior to marriage but the courts wouldn't support that if there were children. And if you've been together but not married, the years together count. 

You might want to suggest a 2 year fix and you go on the deeds at the end of that? If he's not happy with that, I'd reconsider the relationship. 

elsien

What’s the reason that you are not contributing anything to the property, as that may have some relevant to his thinking.

acowlet

elsien said:

What’s the reason that you are not contributing anything to the property, as that may have some relevant to his thinking.

That was always what we agreed as he said he didn’t expect that from me and he wants to be a traditional provider. I of course would pay for stuff for the house and food shopping and what not, but his wage is a lot more than mine so I wouldn’t be bringing that much in anyways.