Bought With Boyfriend

Expert, localized Los Angeles answers provided by Heather Roy

Bought With Boyfriend
	Edith, Ten years ago with bad advice my daughter purchased a house with a boyfriend. It was her money, and she has always made the payments. He always promised to get a job but never did. Six years ago he up and walks out. Now he has surfaced and demands her to sell the house or give him $10,000. Did he abandon the property or does she have to sell and pay him half? She is a single mom just making ends meet and can not afford to fight him in court. Any advice?

	Your daughter can't afford not to have an attorney at this point. Tell her to call her county’s Bar Association and ask what legal assistance she might qualify for. In most states it takes more than six years of using abandoned property before one can try to claim ownership. The requirements are strict, the process is complicated, and it would certainly involve court action, which might or might not succeed. I don’t know how your daughter can take back the part-ownership she foolishly gave this loser. But listen--I’m not a lawyer.I sure hope her own attorney can suggest a course of action. Do let us know what happens.
	Edith Originally published on July 6, 2006

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