Which statement is true about the rights of spouses in a real estate transaction?

In a real estate transaction, both spouses must sign the deed for a valid transfer, especially in jurisdictions that recognize community property laws or equitable distribution of property. This requirement is rooted in the concept that both spouses have an interest in the marital property, and their rights need to be acknowledged in the transfer process.

The rationale behind needing both signatures is to protect the rights of both parties in a marriage. In many cases, property acquired during the marriage is considered jointly owned. Therefore, both spouses need to consent to the sale or transfer of the property to ensure that neither spouse's rights are compromised without their knowledge or agreement.

While it is true that the titleholder's signature alone might be sufficient in certain situations, such as when the property was acquired before the marriage or in cases where state law allows for individual ownership, this does not apply universally. Moreover, it’s crucial for real estate professionals to understand the implications of spousal rights in transactions to avoid legal disputes that could arise from an incomplete or invalid deed transfer.

The other statements misunderstand or misrepresent the legal protections afforded to spouses in such transactions: it is not sufficient for just one spouse to sign in cases where both have rights, nor can a spouse's rights be disregarded without risking legal challenges