When a couple is married, figuring out who owns what property can get pretty complicated, especially if one person bought a house on their own before they got married.
A woman named Bethany has reached out to Bright Side for help because her current situation is starting to impact her relationship with her husband.
Bethany shared that after her dad died, she sold his apartment and some of his things. With the money she got, she was able to buy a house for herself and her family.
However, her husband insisted that he had the right to co-own the place, despite the fact she had paid for it with her inherited money.
She was totally stunned by what he asked and immediately said no. But that’s when everything started to go downhill. Her husband replied, “If that’s how you feel, then you need to pay me back for all the rent I’ve covered over the years. You should at least give me half since you lived here and didn’t help with the bills.”
To her horror, he issued an ultimatum, “If you refuse, then maybe we should reconsider our marriage and our future together.”
Bethany also mentioned that ever since they got married, her husband has been the only one bringing in money for the family. She doesn’t have a job, but she stays at home to take care of their son and manage the household.
She wondered if this was enough reason for her husband to automatically co-own the home she bought with her own money.
Confused, she sought advice, and the people in the comment section were quick to provide some.
Someone suggested to Bethany that she should figure out the total cost of hiring a housekeeper, a cook, and a nanny for each day. Then, she could add those costs together and see how it compares to the amount her husband wants her to “pay back” to him.
Someone else mentioned that if a stay-at-home parent got paid for all the work they do at home and taking care of the kids, that total would add up to more than $178,000 a year.
Someone mentioned that the way he requested to be named as a co-owner of the house she bought really shows what kind of person he is, since no partner should ever resort to threats.
If you find yourself in a situation like this, it’s a good idea to get some legal help and learn about property ownership. This is really important because the rules can change based on where you live. In some places, anything you owned before getting married is considered yours alone, but anything you buy while married could be seen as shared property, depending on the laws in that area.
A lawyer who focuses on inheritance and property law can offer the best advice to help safeguard your rights and ensure your wishes are respected.
Consider how having shared ownership might affect your money situation in the future, especially if you experience a divorce or separation.
You could just have an honest conversation with your partner about what you want and what worries you. It’s important to work together to understand each other and come up with a solution that makes both of you happy.
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