Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Ohio
Property rights
My wife and I bought a home 3 years ago. We both signed on the loan, though she has not worked for nine years. The deed has only her name on it. We are going to divorce and I'm concerned that she will keep all of the equity in the house as only her name is on the deed. Apparently, somewhere along the loan process, she needed to sign something and went to the loan office and took care of it. Now, three years later it's coming back to haunt me. I would appreciate any advice. Someone mentioned ''dower rights'' to me. Does this apply?
Thanks
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Property rights
More important than dower is the law of property division. In Ohio, property acquired during the marriage other than by gift or inheritence is presumed to belong to both spouses, regardless of how titled. You are entitled to share in the equity.