questions & answers

Question: My boyfriend and I have been together since mid 2005. He recently purchased a home in only his name. We are planning on getting married in april of next year. After marriage do I automatically become co- ownr? If we do not get married how long will it take for me to be considered co- owner without him actually havng to add my name to the title?

Answer:

In general, in Arizona, during marriage, property may be owned as separate property of either spouse or as community property belonging to both spouses. The presumption is that all property acquired during the marriage is community property. However, there are exceptions to this rule and you may want to look at the Arizona Revised Statutes on community property to familiarize yourself with the laws.

Title 25 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) contains laws on marital and domestic relations. A.R.S. § 25-211 discusses community property and exceptions. A.R.S. § 25-213 lists what is considered separate property. There is not a provision in the Arizona Statutes that would automatically make a person an owner after a certain amount of time being married.