I purchased my house in a very rapidly appreciating market prior to marriage. Although my ex asked, hinted and outright demanded to be put on the title since what was "mine was ours", I put it off, saying she would have to be on the mortgage too and her credit was terrible. Of course, that isn't true but she isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. This was the same woman who regularly asked me how much my life insurance was worth (and if I should increase it for "protection"), and if she was the only one on the policy, and not my children. I assured her that in the event of death, which she seemed to be at least hoping for and at times planning on, she would receive the house to live in. Lo and behold, in a couple years time, she serves me with divorce papers claiming "emotional abuse" and demanding that I sell "our" house, which she did not in anyway pay for, and give her half. Surprise! I would have given anything to be in her attorney's office after I emailed over the title with only my name on it. She dragged out the divorce longer than the marriage with every "settlement offer" consisting of me selling the house, which has nearly doubled in value in a couple years, and giving her half. She got nothing. The judge, a conservative woman, denied her alimony, tossed her a few bucks for what amounted to be 1.1% ownership of the house, no part of my IRA, and gave me virtually all furnishings I purchased (other than the tasteless crap my ex "decorated" the house with). I doubt it even covered her lawyer's fees. Sometimes you win. But you have to keep her name off everything!