dispute dissolving joint mortgage where only one income.

silentsigh

i bought a property several years ago and put my partner on the mortgage as a way of showing trust and commitment to her. a year ago she left and has had no contact until recently. She now wants half of the house we shared that i still continue to pay for and live in. We were never married and she never paid any money into either the mortgage or any bill. She never had to work and i gave her money to spend on herself on a weekly basis as well as buying her new phones, cars and other luxury items regularly throughout the relationship. I am now sorry i made the mistake of putting her name on the mortgage and am worried i am going to lose everything i have worked hard all my life for. Has anyone had a similar experience? I have heard differing stories such as she will only be entitled to very minority share as made no contribution and we were not wed but then have heard she is entitled to half and it will be my tough luck. I have offered her settlements but she wants the lot. Can anyone advise me before i get caught up in an expensive court battle please? Thankyou

silentsigh

I know i have not been wise but wasn't advised and hadn't thought of seperation and what that would mean. I would like to keep the house as i have worked all of my life for it and as i started with nothing has always been my goal. i feel my life is going to be snatched from me dispite having given so much to someone i thought would never hurt me. I am worried about solicitors costs on top of everything and my ex partner does not work so that seems irrelevant to her. Does anyone have any advice or know of similar case files i could research, anything to give me an idea of where this may lead would help me tremendously. Thankyou

Caz3121

what is the increase (or decrease) in value from when you bought the property until you split...I believe worst case scenario is she could get 50% of the increase. She could maybe argue that, although she never made a financial contribution, she looked after the house, cooked and cleaned therefore allowing to concentrate on your career


in fact since the house is in joint names it may not be as clear cut as that. have a google on 'property rights unmarried couples'
however I found this which helps demonstrate the 50/50 of the whole house does not apply if unmarried
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-450638/Warning-unmarried-couples-home-rights.html

silentsigh

Thankyou for taking the time to post, i have checked back and it is just joint tenancy so supposedly 50/50 split, however i am trying to find out if fact she just left a year ago and fact i have paid everything will stand in court and help bring her percentage down to a figure that i may be able to pay her and hopefully keep my home.

Leon_W

Unmarried couples have very few rights as there is no such thing as a "common law" husband or wife.

I wouldn't worry too much as she is not entitled to half, simple as that. You obviously need to speak to a solicitor but a court would base any decision on the lengh of time she was at the property, contributions made, and on the basis of your post, it doesn't seem she would be entitled to much in my view.

Wh05apk

I think as CAZ said she would be entitled to 50% of the profit/loss as she contributed "domestically" to the household, I suspect you may be right about being absent reduces her share, although she may argued she did it for her "safety" I would suggest you speak to a solicitor, they will normally apraise your case initially for free.

You now need to get into "self-preservation" mode,and protect your house.

silentsigh

To be honest she never did anythng, only lived her life that i provided her with. She had a nice sum of money every week from me to go and do as she pleased. I never had tea made for me, nor was she a domesticated person. When she did work she didn't even tell me and i never saw any money and there was always dispute over her not contributing as mortgage was done in both names on understanding she would work. Few weeks into it though she decided she would only work now n then off the record and as i was not about in the day i never knew when she did or didnt.
To be honest I wanted her to be comfortable but never thought she would never contribute and although initially took on all payments to get her on her feet, i have paid everything since including shopping, bills and her lifestyle, discussions on when she would work caused many issues. She finally left without a follow up address and only now has decided she has lost out and wants my home. I offered her good will payment of substantial amount on top of many valuable things she has already taken. I think I have been more than fair but now feel I stand to lose everything.