She would only be entitled to whatever equity was derived since the marriage. All that you put into the home before the marriage is your separate estate.

We first consider the propriety of the trial court's inclusion of the entire equity value of the condominium as part of the marital estate. As previously indicated, defendant provided a $14,000 down payment for the condominium before the parties married, and equity was built up in the condominium as a result of payments solely made by defendant before the parties married. Further, the condominium may have appreciated after defendant purchased it but before the parties married. The sharing and maintenance of a marital home affords both spouses an interest in any increase in its value (whether by equity payments or appreciation) over the term of a marriage. Such amount is clearly part of the marital estate. However, the down payment, the equity built up before the parties' marriage, and any 4*4 appreciation that occurred before the parties' marriage should have been considered defendant's separate estate. Thus, we find the trial court erred in considering the entire equity value of the condominium as part of the marital estate. On remand, the trial court may not consider as part of the marital estate the equity value of the condominium immediately before the parties married.
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Hello everyone. After five years of ups and downs, my wife and I are likely getting a divorce. There is no known infidelity, just a general break down of the marriage relationship. I am trying to learn a bit about the process and who is entitled to what, to see if we can reach agreements BEFORE hiring an attorney, though that will be a step a bit further down the road. I want to keep the process as amicable as possible, but I do want to protect what I am entitled to, though also honor what she is entitled to. I would appreciate any advice you can offer.
My advice to you is that you don't even try to come to agreement with your soon-to-be Ex on any property settlement. The reason being that as soon as she hires an attorney, your agreement goes out the window and her attorney will convince her that she is entitled to much more. So don't waste your time. If you are going to get a divorce, then decide who will file, you or her. Then let your attorneys put together the settlement. You will have ample time argue various points at the settlement conferences.