That isnt enough. If the car is titled only in wife's name, hubby doesnt have an interest in the car according to the state and for purposes of ownership unless divorce comes up. The husband cant sell the car and sign over title just because they live in a community property state.
MY RESPONSE: Stephen, since when did you start practicing Family Law? You're wrong. Property interests DO NOT merely begin only in dissolution actions. The husband has a legitimate property interest in the vehicle throughout the marriage. Sure, he can't transfer it while it's only in Wife's name, but that, in and of itself DOES NOT diminish his instant, present, property interest in the vehicle.
If the wife was driving the car titled in her name only and she caused an accident, the husband cant be named in a lawsuit as an "owner" of the car. Only the wife would be the defendant. The wrong person filed the suit.
MY RESPONSE: That's correct, insofar as third parties are concerned, and their rights against only the "titled" owner. The Husband had legal standing to protect his marital interests in the property. For example, let's say the Wife smashed up the vehicle in an accident caused by someone else - - BUT wife decides NOT to repair the vehicle, this diminishing it's value. Why should the husband suffer the loss of its diminished value all because of the Wife's decision? And, why should the Defendant be entitled to a "windfall" all because of the Wife's decision? The husband has a right to have his position protected, and his property interests placed back in the same position as he enjoyed PRIOR to the accident.
Husband DOES NOT have to wait for a dissolution of his marriage to Wife BEFORE he can claim dominion and rights over his property interests in anything purchased DURING the marriage.
To do otherwise would be preposterous.
IAAL