but don't know much at all about 'community property,' how it works in your state, or the relationship between you and your husband, which MIGHT be relevant.

If you are disputatious, it COULD be that he might seek full ownership in case of divorce, and thus might to prove that his contribution has been more than yours. If the house were held as 'community property,' the court shouldn't have any issue with any such claim he might make. However, as to joint tenancy, 'the individuals, who are called joint tenants, share equal ownership of the property and have the equal, undivided right to keep or dispose of the property.'

This is NOT a final legal conclusion on your question, just off the 'top of my head.'

Here's basic stuff about Joint Tenancy:

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Joint+Tenancy

My husband is 20 years older than I am and we have no plans to divorce (have been together for over 30 years). We both have serious health problems.

We have no debt however which is good.

As for the house, it has been a joint effort for the most part.

The person that told me to do this has a lot of debt and refinanced her house during the peak of the housing bubble. She owes more on her house than it is worth. I don't feel at all sorry for her as she and her husband are bringing in three incomes.

These are two entirely different situations. I read that that first $250,000.00 plus 1/2 the cost of the house is written off in the case of necessity to pay taxes at some point in time. California is a community property state but when I checked with the office that handles deeds/titles, they saw no reason to do this whatsoever.

Worst case scenario would be that one of us would pass on and even if some sort of taxes were involved, it wouldn't be a lot being we have a very low income.

Thanks again and I'll check into this matter more.

We would be happy to answer your question.