DEAR ABBY: My fiancee, "Mandy," and I decided to buy a home. (We moved in together last August.) Mandy didn't qualify to be on the loan, so it is in my name. No matter what I do, she says she feels like the house won't be "ours" until I put her name on the deed. Abby, a week hasn't gone by that we haven't argued about this to the point of not speaking to each other.
I want to marry Mandy, but I would like us to reach a point that we're able to get along first. She says we won't be able to do that if I don't put her name on the deed. Am I wrong to want to be more comfortable in the relationship before doing that? If something happened and we didn't get married she'd have as much right to the house as I do -- without having paid any money toward it. -- "IN DEED" IN ATLANTA
DEAR "IN DEED": Listen to your gut, because it's guiding you in the right direction. A house is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Putting Mandy's name on the deed will not magically fix the shaky foundation of this relationship. You may love her, but please continue to think rationally. It appears she is trying to emotionally blackmail you. Before entering into any contract with Mandy (or anyone else, for that matter), talk to your lawyer.