Final answer:
In modern legal documents, a married couple may use 'sole owner' for the title-holding spouse and 'spouse' or 'non-titled spouse' for the other when signing for a house only in one name. The actual titles utilized can depend on the specific legal framework and jurisdiction, especially concerning marital property or community property laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a married couple signs a legal document for a house that is only in one person's name, they may use the titles 'sole owner' for the spouse who holds the title and 'spouse' or 'non-titled spouse' for the other. The concept of marital property titles has evolved since the time of the American Revolution when the legal principle of coverture dictated that married women could not hold property independently from their husbands. Today, laws differ by jurisdiction, but generally, both spouses have more equitable rights regarding property ownership and economic benefits stemming from marriage.
The title held by the non-titled spouse when signing documents might vary based on legal requirements and the intended role of the spouse in the transaction. For instance, they may merely need to acknowledge awareness of the transaction or provide consent if it influences marital assets, despite not being the titled owner. In community property states, the other spouse often must express consent to transactions involving property, even if their name is not on the title.