"So if we get married, how do I do a joint tenancy?"
*** You can do it simply by going down to your county clerks office and filing a new title document. But, WHY??? The property is yours and since you owned it pre-marriage, it is exempt from community property. Why do you seem to insist on giving him HALF of your property??? There is simply no good, logical reason to do that.
"Is the deed amended?"
*** See above.
"And, in a joint tenancy if there is a divorce, does the spouse get half the value of the property?"
*** Yes. The MINUTE that you sign and notarize the deed, he has the right to demand and get half of the property value. Even if he hasn't paid a nickle!!
"I guess I just need a definition of joint tenancy. I know that if I die, my joint tenant keeps the house without any of my heirs being able to claim half of it. "
*** JTROS (Joint Tenancy Rights of Survivor) simply means that each named person owns an equal share of the property.... then when one dies, that person share is immediately given to the other (making the survivor 100% owner). However, if your intent is to simply give him the property on your death, that can be done much more simply and safely by making a will and stating your wishes.
"But what about a divorce? Hate to sound so ignorant but I need to know how this is done."
*** In a divorce, he owns half of the property.... the half you gave him. And he would have equal demand to the property. This means that the court could grant him ALL of your house (and you to be compensated half of its value), or you could get the house and compensate him. Or the court could order the house sold and split the proceeds. Heck, there is even a case on this forum where an ex-boyfriend deeded his half to his new girlfriend!!! How would that make you feel???
Love is blind, but don't let it blind you.