My coleague, Craig is going through a terrible time battling with his ex- girlfriend.
They have been together for two years. They lived together and they bougt a house together last year. (Well, he pays for the house and included her name in the title, she does not pay a cent)
Now, they have split up. She is claiming half of the house and his money. Legally, she is allow to do that eventhough they were never married. What sort of crappy law is it? Pah…
Poor Craig! He does not spend money. He doesnt go out drinking during weekends. He does not go on holiday. He eats home made tuna and bread everyday for lunch. I have known him for three years and I have never seen him eating anything else for lunch! Sigh…
His ex-gf does not pay any of the bills and yet she is claiming half of his belongings.
Should a “pre-nup” to be signed before one starts a relationship? Have your say…
no need to go as far as a pre-nup… but I think it is common sense not to put your house (or car, etc.) in someone else’s name unless you are married to the person, (especially if the other person does not contribute a cent!) or at least have a legally-binding agreement stating what happens on dissolution of the relationship.
Okay, agree with what you said. The thing is, woudl you actually ask your love one to sign that legally binding agreement? He will definately questioning your love/trust toward him.
Another story…
Judy’s friend just broke up with his girlfriend because she made him sign that agreement. He refused to sign becasue he thinks she doesn’t trust him. Since, there is no trust in the relationship. He called it off.
As your friend has learned, no contract or legal relationship = no house in your name. If you don’t pay, no house in your name. Trust is one thing, having to eat tuna sandwiches for lunch every day for 3 years is another thing. If the other person really cares, he should prove his trust by signing the contract, or getting married, or paying his share!
So do u think we should start carrying our lawyer’s at the first sense the partner is about to raise the “serious relationship” situation?? hehehheeh…that’s some of the problem’s when some couples move in with the partner when they feel that is right in that “short” while and didn’t get to know the partner better… I dunno…maybe he/she did, but by then wouldn’t they know it better already and understand each other’s thought’s and moves??
Anyway, I feel for ur Friend’s…I have been there, but I was lucky my ex didn’t eat me up dry…
Hmm…It is not about marriage. Cohibit is just the same just a paper missing. But when do you know it is the right time the other half to sign a pre-nup agreement?It is easier to say than done. When you are in the situation, it is all different.
What would you say?" Oh Darling, I love you and I would like you to move in with me but I dont trust you so you will have to sign the pre-nup, just to be safe for me. Love you. Mwah!" Haaa…that won’t work!
he pays for the house and included her name in the title
There we go. She owns half the house on paper. By including her in the title, he has already also agreed that she is part owner and any consequences as a result (ie break up) will be treated as such.
I think with sufficient evidence that your friend has been footing for everything, he should be able to have a chance, but I dunno. Don’t take my word for it, I’m just guessing.
In his case, he sort of deserves in one way. It is sad that the one you once love turned her back against you. However, even without the joined name on teh title. She is entitle for half of his under the law.
No need to go as far as a pre-nup, and (if it is not against your religion,) moving in together is fine. But making your partner a legal owner of your house when there is no legal relationship is against common sense, unless he can afford to give the house away.
But what would you do in general. If your other half could get a share of yours after a 9 months relationship and living together? How could you avoid that?
I will be very wary from now on when I meet new beau.
She is not conning him lah. She was involved in the relationship for two years. What I can say is that it is very unfortunate for both parties to have to go through this. I believe Craig seriously thought of marrying her, that is why he volunteer to put her name in. Anyway…
Nope, they are both foreigner. What does race has anything to do with this?
Nah! I don’t reckon the gf has planned this. It was just when the relationship was over, things turned sour. You know? Sometimes, you will have friends or family who talk bad about your relationship, about the other half. Maybe the family or friends stir things up and she got mad and decided to sue.
I think, firtly you have to know the National law of Mr. Craig and his Gf governing the property regime of the unwedded couples. Secondly, also you have to know on whether or not the parties had entered into a prenuptial agreement governing their property relationship should they be married in the future. From your explanation it appears that the duo are only engaging in cohabitation. In the absence of knowledge of their national law, I presume that the property regime governing their relationship is COOWNERSHIP. Under the rule on coownership (I hope this is universal rule) it is not necessary that one party will have to contribute the amount of money for the acquisition of property, by mere effort of taking careof by one party of another is enough that he/she becomes coowner to the property acquired during their union. That is by operation of law onf coownership. However, if Mr. Craig wants to own wholly their house to the exclusion of his Gf, he has to provide another or more credible evidence than the title to the house itself. Mr. CRaig can allege that during the acquisition of the title to their house, deceit or duress was employed by his gf enough to obtain his consent into agreeing to his gf’s wish, of course he has to prove those things before the court. If Mr. Craig will be successful in presenting that issue, or in impugning the legitimacy of the title to their house, that said title will be nullified, instead a new one will be reissued in his own name as a single owner. However, If he failed to nullify the title, the coonership theory will hold. as a parting words he has to consult a lawyer to help him out.