Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Adding a person to title

My boyfriend wants to add me to the title of his house. We do not live together. While I hope his intentions are honorable (the reason he gave me seems to be) my instinct tells me not to do it. I am wondering what can he benefit from me being on the title, especially since I do not live there yet.


Asked on 5/24/04, 7:37 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Ken Koenen Koenen & Tokunaga, P.C.

Re: Adding a person to title

He doesn't benefit at all. You can't be held responsible for the loan, because you did not agree to that. If he wants to sell, he needs your permission. If he does sell, you would be entitled to 1/2 the proceeds after the loan is paid off. The only negative would be if you think he is trying to avoid other creditors.

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Answered on 5/24/04, 8:03 pm
Michael Olden Law Offices of Michael A. Olden

Re: Adding a person to title

Relying upon your gut. Chivalry may not be dead but when you're placed upon title, and you don't even live there, there may be something really rotten smelling in California. Don't sign anything, don't refinance anything, don't call sign anything. I don't know what's wrong but I do know something is wrong in this situation.

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Answered on 5/24/04, 9:54 pm
Mitchell Roth MW Roth, Professional Law Corporation

Re: Adding a person to title

Nothing unless he wants to try to refinance using your credit. Of course, he can add your name to title without consent. If he has fraudulent intention however, your consent would embroil you in the fraud. If you not consent and he adds you to title and them uses your credit to refinance, he is defrauding you and the lender.

You don't say what he tells you is his reason, so perhaps I am missing something here.

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Answered on 5/28/04, 1:17 pm


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