Is the equity in a home purchased before a marriage split equally if only one of the names is on the deed

The answer to your question is yes; all property whether acquired before or during the marriage is presumed to be divided equally at the time of the divorce. The only property exempt are gifts and inheritances received from a third party. The court does have discretion to deviate from equal property division, using the factors under the property division statute, which would consider the length of the marriage and property brought into the marriage by either party. The length of the marriage is critical to the consideration of pre marital credit. Also, title to property does not affect ownership or equity rights under WI law.