if you are married and bought house by using common savings, no matter what (i.e. your name is on the title or not), you have half of the house (community states or common law states). Of course, by not putting your name on the property under this circumstances will not shield you from liabilities either. As to the issue of beneficiary, your hu*****and is free to give his half away to anybody by will. But if he has no will, in most state, the major default beneficiary is wife. He can always write a will giving everything to you. No, by putting your name on the title most likely will not affect your future buying ability. You can always rent the house out and use the rental income to offset morgage obligation.