My wife left over a year ago. I live in Charlotte where the home is and she lives in Ashevile. The home is underwater worth at least tax value over 20,000 less then what it was bought at. It was bought 0 down. There has only been about 8000 paid towards the principal since it was bought at the end of 07. Her name is not on the mortgage only the title work. She has never contributed to paying any of it. She will not compromise on it and just sign a quitclaim deed to take her name off. If it goes through the court in a divorce, what will likeily happen. She has no means to afford the payment.
I cannot predict what will happen in any one case, however it sounds like you have a good argument for why you should be the party who is awarded the home.