原文章由 bunnymonkey 於 07-11-14 08:04 發表 
It depends on the state and other circumstance. It's better to calculate which way is the most beneficial to the woman or she can consult with a lawyer. :) IL is not a community property states (CA is ...
Agree, length of marriage should not have any influence on the half ownership of the property. First of all, you need to check the law in IL (I'm also in CA). Secondly, when they brought the house, who paid the down payment and who paid the monthly mortgage? Thirdly, why they don't want to divorce? In common law, the couple share everything they jointly owned.
To my understanding, the judges will consider the custodian rights and responsibility according to the financial situation of each of the party. It's no reason that one of the party has retired can own the whole house just because he's no earning power.
Well, the best way to claim the 50% share is to get compromise but if it is not the case, she can either accept giving more to the husband in order to persuade him to sell or to keep the house this way and wait until he dies. After his death, she can 100% own the house. It's the fact that some couples do not divorce even their marriage had problem for so long and each of them wait for the death of the other one, so sad. To me, I would rather have less money but happy.
花旗太太生活在花旗國,留意時差,你問我未必即時答到。