Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Michigan

Quit Claim - House purchased by wife before marriage; how to phrase quit claim

I wish to add my husband to the deed on our home. I purchased the home prior to our marriage.

Would I phrase the quit claim as:

Wife_maiden_name, a single woman, quit claims to husband_name and wife_married_name, formerly known as wife_maiden_name, a husband and wife.

Or would I say this:

Wife_maiden_name, a married woman, quit claims to husband_name and wife_married_name, formerly known as wife_maiden_name, a husband and wife.

Do I say ''a single woman'' because I was single when I purchased the house? Or do I say ''a married woman'' because I am married now?

Also, am I phrasing the ''formerly know as'' part correctly?

Thanks so much for your help!!


Asked on 3/30/06, 12:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Rochelle Guznack Law Offices of Rochelle E. Guznack, PLLC

Re: Quit Claim - House purchased by wife before marriage; how to phrase quit claim

It depends on what you want to happen to the property when one of you dies. Do you want the survivor of the two of you to get 100% of the property or do you want the survivor to get one-half and the deceased spouse's estate or heirs (children, parents, siblings) to get one-half?

It sounds like you need to give some thought to estate planning and you may not want to quit claim the property to the two of you at this time. You should consult with an attorney who can discuss the relevant issues with you.

Good luck.

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Answered on 3/30/06, 12:40 pm


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