Lawyer Says Couples Should Avoid Using Mr/Mrs On Property Documents, Mentions Why: “It’s A Trap”
- A Nigerian lawyer explained why couples should not use Mr/Mrs on the document of a property they bought together
- She listed three correct ways a couple can write their names to show joint ownership and represent the wife's interest
- Many who came across her post shared their thoughts, and some appreciated her for the legal advice
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A Nigerian lawyer, Confidence Aribibia, shared why couples should not use Mr/Mrs. on their property documents.
She mentioned why writing names like that was a trap and didn’t represent the interests of the wife.
Source: Facebook
On her Facebook page, she shared three correct ways couples can write their name to ensure it shows joint ownership.
She wrote in her post:
“Stop using “Mr/Mrs Daniel” on your property documents. It looks sweet and united but in law, it is a trap. Now, picture this. You and your spouse buy land together. On the Deed of Conveyance, the lawyer writes: “Mr/Mrs Daniel” as the purchaser. You smile, thinking it shows joint ownership. Wrong.
“In law, “Mr/Mrs Daniel” refers to the man alone as if he bought the property in his sole name. The wife’s interest is not protected. If you truly want co-ownership, the names must be written clearly, for example:
“Daniel Chukwuemeka and Rose Daniel (husband and wife)”
“Mr. Daniel Chukwuemeka and Mrs. Rose Daniel, jointly as purchasers.”
OR
1. Mr Daniel Chukwuemwka
2. Mrs. Rose Daniel
(Purchasers)
“That way, both names appear distinctly, and the law recognizes both parties as owners. I’ve seen too many cases where a widow was pushed out of her home because the document only bore her husband’s name even though she contributed. In law, love is not ownership. If you want joint ownership, write your names clearly. Protect your marriage. Protect your property.”
She added:
“In law, “Mr/Mrs Daniel” refers to the man alone as if he bought the property in his sole name. The wife’s interest is not protected.”
Source: Facebook
Reactions trail lawyer’s advice on joint ownership
Israel Okim said:
"Good lawyer good teaching good job."
Taoheed Adegboyega Asudemade said:
"And without the name, anyone can be the Mrs later."
Nyamah Sumo said:
"In law love is not ownership. That is the part I am reading over and over."
Decontee Chea said:
"Yea, my mom told me something like that. She said when she and her husband went to go buy land, he wanted the papers to only carry Mr. and Mrs. Then his last name, but she said no, that anybody can bear that last name, so she wants her full name spell on the paper."
Atser Simeon Aondowase said:
"See how u cast men."
Olo Michael said:
"As for me I will not buy any property with Mr or Mrs I will either buy it with my name or her name because at the end something must come up law."
Atta Konadu Yiadom said:
"Married men should desist from building house on their wife's acquired land."
In related stories, a lawyer shares how women can get a share of their husband's property, while another female lawyer explained why a couple can't get 50-50 property sharing during divorce.
Lawyer advises men on property sharing
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a female lawyer advised men on how to legally protect their property from their wives in the event of a divorce.
She stated that if a woman took part of a man’s property after divorce, then he was not a smart man.
Many reacted to the viral post as the lawyer gave details on what men could do to protect their property.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
