Caveat

A caveat is a legal notice lodged at the land registry. It stops anyone dealing with a property, such as selling or transferring it, without the knowledge of the person who lodged it.

In a divorce, a caveat can protect your interest in a property that is registered only in your spouse’s name.

Why it matters: if you fear your spouse may sell or transfer a property before the court divides the assets, a caveat is one way to keep it in place while the case goes on.