Montana Supreme Court said a husband who poured $955,000 into a property should own it, despite the deed being in his wife’s name.
The couple bought the house in 2023, before marrying, and the title was put under the wife’s name. The husband financed most of the purchase and later improvements.
A lower court ruled for the husband, awarding him the home after the divorce. The wife appealed, arguing title should dictate ownership.
The court looked beyond the title, weighing the contributions, timing, and intent. It found the husband's $955,000 investment signaled ownership intent.
The decision signals that Montana courts will examine substance over form in divorce property disputes. Couples buying homes together must keep detailed records.
The final decree will be signed on July 12, solidifying the husband's claim and setting a precedent for future cases.