How many of you would sign something legal you hadn't been given a chance to read?

Question

My husband is really pissed because I refuse to sign a document regarding our home (before a notary) without having a chance to read it first?
He wants to take a mortgage on the house (he says to buy some land in the country), but I think the document is because he needs my permission to do so ... I am not sure.
He said that the document was supposed to arrive by courier today, but it has not.
In any case I feel uneasy signing something legal that I haven't been given a chance to read ... especially since I don't know what the document says and what rights I may be giving away by signing it.
To add to this my husband has been really weird especially lately, talking about how I had promised to sign a pre-nup before we were married that if the marriage broke up I would walk away with little more than money to start me up in an apartment. But I don't remember ever saying this.
Would you sign it, and what would you say to him about it????

He just called to see if the document had arrived and I said it hadn't and stood my ground that I wouldn't sign unless I read it and then depending on what it said, maybe I wouldn't sign it at all.

He's getting really mad with me and saying that he's the one that's putting everything on the line in this marriage and that I have done nothing for him.

I feel really bad about this document.

Answer 1

sounds fishy- do NOT sign it - maybe it is a QUIT CLAIM - meaning, if you sign it - your house is his, and you have no right to it. I know that is something that you would need a notary for, because I just had it done.
also, do NOT let him take out an extra mortgage that you could be responsible for - I would just wait around - don't file for divorce yet - and once this 'so called paper' arrives, make copies of it without him knowing - (if you do get divorced - that is prove what he was trying to make you do- which most likely isn't right).... but, keep this 'copy' out of the household - at your parents/friends or something.

SO, NO, i would NOT sign it - and, what would I say about it? I would say I will think about it - let him sit on it - but, I wouldn't sign it...I'd go make copies of whatever he is making you sign.

Answer 2

Been there done that. Not with marriage pre-nups but other things and it was OF COURSE a huge mistake. In this case, I'd have a VERY SERIOUS trust issue with this man. He's up to something and I would want to know WHY I'm not to read it if it's something so common as a mortgage. If that's all it is, he shouldn't be putting up such a fuss. Tell him either you read it and either sign it or not or don't read it, then it'll never get signed. Watch your back if he's really angry. By standing your ground, you could have some serious safety issues according to what all in in those papers.....DON'T SIGN IT.

Answer 3

Red flags went up left and right when I read this. My advice would be not only NOT to sign it without reading it, but to take it to an independent attorney for review before you sign it. If your name is on the deed (some states even if you're just married) he needs your permission to sell the house or to put a lein against it.

In addition, I would talk to an attorney about protecting your assets. A friend's husband started acting the same way with her. She found out later that he had sold the house and everything they had of value and hidden the money. According to his attorney during the divorce, he had lost all the money gambling. He now lives in a three bedroom home and drives a nice SUV while she has a small apartment and takes the bus.

I'm not saying that anything like this is happening to you, but I would advise you to speak to legal representation to find out what you need to do to protect yourself. It doesn't make sense for him to be getting this upset over something that is common practice. I never sign ANYTHING without reading it completely first.

Answer 4

It would probably be the worst thing you could ever do. Just tellhim youre protecting your assets in the marriage and after you read it and if you agree then youll sign it and not before. He cant do anything without it so hes at your mercy.Also,most courts dont recognize pre-nups anyway so it wont do him any good anyway.Never sign or agree to anything unless youre in complete agreement with it and dont let anyone force you to do so, cause the courts cannot undo something once its done. If he does manage to get you to sign it somehow then its "under duress" which means you were forced to sign it against your will and thats illegal.

Answer 5

There is no way you should anything legal without first reading it. It does matter what the legal document is. Even if you read it, you should also have a lawyer go over any document. This could prevent you from getting in over your head. Do not let your husband try to force you into this you may live to regret this.

Answer 6

Good God, this guy is your HUSBAND? You're supposed to be best friends. Sharing everything, telling each other everything, you two against the world, right? This guy sounds like someone who's making plans to bail out and screw you financially. Trust your gut instincts. That uneasy feeling in your stomach is the very thing that has kept our species alive this long. Ask any lawyer, they'd advise you not to sign. Or, for that matter anyone with half of a brain in their head. Good luck. Stick to your guns, the world is much bigger than this guy and his shady ideas.

Answer 7

I would be more so concerned as to why you husband is angry about you not signing it, before reading.
If it is a mortgage he would have had to sign paperwork.
I think it's one of two things.
Either he signed it without reading it and doesn't have the sense to realize how foolish that was, or he's got something up his sleeve and doesn't want you to read all the 'fine print' to see what it is.
Either way, I wouldn't sign a leagl contract without reading. And being the way he's acting, would make me want to read it all the more.

Answer 8

Hellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll naw I wouldn't sign that **** I mean if it is nothing why can't you read it and as far as that pre-nup thing goes I mean men say that they want to guarantee that there money is their money but from a womans perspective you should feel that if he leaves you he want leave you broke and in disoray so don't sign that and just a word of caution watch yourself and check on the deeds and polcies and accounts and make sure you are on each of them cause this sounds fishy to me

Answer 9

it isnt even a matter of trusting him its about trausting someone who typed this document and the possibility of HUMAN ERROR.

anyone can make a mistake when they type up a document and no one should ever sign anything unless they read it first to make sure they understand and agree with what they are signing.... even if you knew what it's SUPPOSED to say... it could have mistakes in it that could screw you for a lifetime... him too... you should both read it twice before signing it.

if he disagrees with that he is either up to something or he's a real dummy... think about it... is he a dummy??? if not then be careful cuz somethings up....

Answer 10

If it's coming by messenger and you have to take it to a notary then by all means read it before you go. Most notaries will ask if you have read it in the first place before you sign so you might be saving yourself a whole lot of trouble if you just take your time and read it before he gets home.