Name on the mortgage?

[Deana]

When we bought our house, David and I weren't engaged yet. I did not want my name on the mortgage since we weren't engaged, and I just felt funny about that. We moved in after we got engaged, and I have been contributing 50% to the mortgage and ALL other household finances.

We are about to re-finance our house, which would provide a perfect opportunity to get my name on the house. But I guess my question is, why bother? Other than if we ever split (unlikely ;) ) I don't know why I would want my name on the house.
What are your opinions? For those of you that are homeowners, do you and your spouse/SO both have your names on the house?

[Life201]

DH’s name is on the mortgage because we just used his credit. At this point, you don’t necessarily have to have your name on the mortgage. Texas is a community property state anyway, so even if your name isn’t on it, it’s still half yours because you’re married.

[missyk]

D, we bought our house before we were married and since Gary had such bad credit we bought the house only in my name. After we got married we went to refinance and Gary had to sign all the documents because since it is a community property state he is automatically on the title. So the choice might not even be given to you to remain off the mortgage. But in any case, it is a wonderful thing to get on the mortgage. There is probably no better way to increase your credit rating than to have a mortgage on your name and make timely payments to it. This in turn could benefit you in other areas, say your car insurance, where they take your credit rating into account. So even if you are not required to sign the mortgage when you refinance, I would strongly recommend it.

[Ellyanne777]

Being on the mortgage isn't a big deal to me...but in our state if your married both have to be on the title so that is a good thing!!

[Margarita]

We're both on the mortgage, but I don't know if it's required. I think it's easier that way in case, God forbid, anything should happen to either of us. It just makes things less complicated, IMHO.