In today's real estate mortgage market, one spouse often has better

credit than the other spouse.; In order to obtain a more favorable

interest rate on a mortgage, one spouse will quit claim their interest

in the house to the other spouse as their sole and separate

property.; This form of title is often demanded by the

lender.; The house is being purchased during the marriage and the

married couple believes in good faith the house is community property.

In the past courts did not exalt form over substance.; The new

house title in form is separate property, yet the substance and intent

of the parties was to purchase the house together as community property.

The courts have reversed themselves in the recent case of, "In re

Marriage of Matthews", and courts are enforcing the form of the

transaction and not the substance.; Therefore, if your house was

purchased under similar circumstances, you will need a written document

signed by your spouse transmuting what is titled as separate property

into community to do this and at

the time of a divorce you will likely

not receive your intended interest in the marital residence.; That

could result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

With over 24 years of experience as a family lawyer working with the

California

Family Code, I have developed my "100 Most Popular

Sections"; This listing acts as a guide to common family law

sections, with references and descriptions and additional

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Family

Code sections. As a certified divorce specialist, I present the

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crucial information on father rights, parents rights, marital support,

modification of divorce orders, modification of family support,

grandparents right, California custody, military divorce, adoption,

prenuptial agreements, substantive rights and liabilities, restraining

orders, estate planning, epstein credits, joint credit cards and all

aspects of the California dissolution process.

Summary: You and your spouse purchased a home and one of you quit

claimed the title in order to get the best interest rate on your loan.

Now, in the middle of a divorce proceeding, the ownership of the home

may be in question. It is critical that spouse that quit claims gets a

written document transmuting separate property to community property.

In the event of a divorce or

dissolution of marriage, both parties may

claim ownership of the home.