re: "Separate Checking accounts"... The reality of "actual ownership"

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There may be some misconceptions about any possible benefits of having separate accounts in the current OT thread. In Louisiana, the money is not legally "separate", nor is anything you purchase with it.

The main thing I wanted to point out that may be of use to someone either married getting married is the legal nuances of home ownership. Just like cars, whose name is on the title, whether or not you paid for it out of "your own account" with "your own money"...and whoever's name is on the title that paid for it "separately"...it doesn't matter both still own it and everything bought with ANY MONEY...**WHILE** you are married, no matter where it came from...the other spouse still owns equal amount.

But, it you own your house BEFORE you are married and you want to keep if there should ever be a split, you MUST speak with your attorney or title attorney about any payments made towards the mortgage.

If your house was paid for before you were married and you end up selling as a couple to get another house, a good title attorney is able to protect you IF you tell him what's going on. I could give details but as much as we want a marriage to succeed, **REALITY says there are as good of odds it won't as it will.

You can keep what was yours before married if you word a mortgage as it really should be when a change is made. And this is also part of the law...what was yours BEFORE will stay yours if there is a split... it's just a simple step that must be taken each time a change of status is made that will protect you. It's actually not fair if you paid for a $300,000 home before married and a year later then a woman changes her mind ...and after 12 months, she benefits by $150,000 more money than she put in...and the law and courts see it that way... but "words" REALLY matter. Be wise, get advice, and best wishes to anyone married to stay that way.

Divorce can be much more destructive than you could imagine.. and in more ways than you could imagine... if more mistakes were made than just the choice of spouse. Just take the extra step of getting advise.. your "wife" will understand if she is reasonable and is informed of the law beforehand.

This has nothing to do with a pre-nupt... just properly keeping track of what was actually yours or hers BEFORE...the law says it should stay that way and it will... **IF... this is properly kept track of with proper "wording".
This post was edited on 11/14 at 7:33 pm

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Folks, there is some misinformation above. If you have any questions, please seek the "advice" of good counsel. That is all.