Milwaukee, WI asked in Real Estate Law and Products Liability for Wisconsin

Q: I own a house in Oconto County, WI. I want to add my fiance to the deed. He has bad credit. Ramifications?

Can a lien be placed on my property because of his bad debt? He is not on the mortgage.

2 Lawyer Answers
Vincent Gallo
Vincent Gallo
Answered

A: If he has bad credit, that could effectively "infect" your ownership of the house, to a point where someone who has a judgment as against him, could effectively execute on the judgment and force the sale of the house. So think about this carefully first. Also, once he is added to the Deed, he's not coming off the Deed without his approval and consent.

Thomas B. Burton agrees with this answer

Thomas B. Burton
Thomas B. Burton
Answered
  • Eau Claire, WI
  • Licensed in Wisconsin

A: I agree with Attorney Gallo, if you add your fiance to the deed of your property, then you are granting him an ownership interest in the property. This means if your fiance has creditors seeking to collect against him, they could potentially seek recovery against your property by placing a lien on the property. I would be very hesitant to do this unless and until you are legally married. I recommend you consult with an experienced attorney before proceeding further.

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