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Family loan

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Flip1234
Flip1234 Posts: 6 Forumite
Hi apologies if I'm posting in the wrong area. In 2012 my wife and I bought a property. My FIL leant us 35000 towards the cost. We had an agreement that within 10 years we would repay him 1/5 of the properties value. 10 years went by and he wrote the debt off. We are now getting a divorce and ex has said that FIL now wants his money back. Is he able to do this?
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  • System
    System Posts: 178,331 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    What is in writing? Is there a contract for the original loan? Is there some documentary proof where he writes the debt off?
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • Flip1234
    Flip1234 Posts: 6 Forumite
    Hi yes it was a signed contract. It was 2002 and not 2012. As its over 6 years that contract date has passed would it be statute barred?
  • Flip1234
    Flip1234 Posts: 6 Forumite
    I've not seen proof of write off. It should have been paid in 2012.
  • Flip1234
    Flip1234 Posts: 6 Forumite
    The ex wants to buy my share of the house. It looks to me that this is a way of reducing my equity in the property. If FIL gets his share I will be left with 30000 for a 315000 house.
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,635 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    This is why money shouldn't mix with family.
  • Gaz83
    Gaz83 Posts: 4,047 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Do you have a mortgage on the property?

    Did your bank / building society know you were buying the property with aid of a loan?
    "Facism arrives as your friend. It will restore your honour, make you feel proud, protect your house, give you a job, clean up the neighbourhood, remind you of how great you once were, clear out the venal and the corrupt, remove anything you feel is unlike you... [it] doesn't walk in saying, "our programme means militias, mass imprisonments, transportations, war and persecution."
  • foxy-stoat
    foxy-stoat Posts: 6,879 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Flip1234 wrote: »
    Hi apologies if I'm posting in the wrong area. In 2012 my wife and I bought a property. My FIL leant us 35000 towards the cost. We had an agreement that within 10 years we would repay him 1/5 of the properties value. 10 years went by and he wrote the debt off. We are now getting a divorce and ex has said that FIL now wants his money back. Is he able to do this?

    So 17 years ago you accepted £35,000 to help you to buy a property, now you want to wiggle out of paying him now you guys are splitting up.....

    Sounds like you need to give yourself a good talking too.
  • foxy-stoat
    foxy-stoat Posts: 6,879 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Flip1234 wrote: »
    Hi yes it was a signed contract. It was 2002 and not 2012. As its over 6 years that contract date has passed would it be statute barred?

    You can't really use this as an excuse not to pay as the contract would of been taking the date where he should of received a 5th of the property's value past the 6 years.

    Unless you are saying, its 6 years from the date you should of paid him, but didn't so he cannot "enforce" the debt. Actually the debt never disappears, the Statue Barred only prevents them from taking legal action to enforce the debt. Does the FIL need to take legal action to get his money back?
  • foxy-stoat
    foxy-stoat Posts: 6,879 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Flip1234 wrote: »
    The ex wants to buy my share of the house. It looks to me that this is a way of reducing my equity in the property. If FIL gets his share I will be left with 30000 for a 315000 house.

    Meaningless without knowing the mortgage balance.
  • MEM62
    MEM62 Posts: 5,301 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Flip1234 wrote: »
    The ex wants to buy my share of the house. It looks to me that this is a way of reducing my equity in the property. If FIL gets his share I will be left with 30000 for a 315000 house.

    It is a predictable tactic. Divorce is often a dirty business. (Although I can see FIL's view. Why should his money benefit you to the tune of £17.5K when you are divorcing his daughter?) Ultimately, a court will decide whether it works or not but if you and your ex choose to fight it that far you will loose more than that in legal fees. You'll both be far better off being sensible and coming to an agreement rather than making you lawyers rich.
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