Solicitors are a lot of money though and I wouldn't recommend it other than for a 30 minute consultation or so. I think you're being more than generous with the 2000 quid and I don't think she has a leg to stand on if you insist she leaves. She can't blackmail you by staying until you've paid what she's demanding. It doesn't work like that. The consultation would tell you where you stand legally.
I would try to keep it civil though. From one who has been through a very acrimonous divorce - it just isn't worth it.
Tell her where she can get off as far as I'm concerned, £400 a month is a steal (my girlfriends student accomodation is £550pm for a room and a shared kitchen) and she has a place to move back into anyway so it's not like she needs the money to prevent homelessness
If you want a quiet life and to be at peace with her and yourself, then I stick with my first suggestion. However, if you don't mind the aftermath then tell her to do one...she really doesn't stand a chance in hell of getting anything.
I'm not sure that 'common law wife' actually means anything these days, if it ever did. In fact, a quick google tells me that it stopped meaning anything in 1753!
Has she been paying income tax on letting her flat? If she's 'forgotten' to do that then if it goes to court she would have to say she was living in her flat and that would make her case fall apart.
I, personally, wouldn't give her anything as I suspect that three years is way too short to make a claim. Equally if it's going to be a 'common law wife' situation I'm sure you will be able to make a lain on her flat, and she won't want that.
You need to see a solicitor. It will depend on how many years you have been together. If she contributed to the mortgage (even indirectly) then she will have a claim on some equity in the house. If you have been together a long time then the value can be large based on equity growth. As said, see a solicitor, it will be worth it.
Hold fire , tonight can ask my stepdad and may save you the bother... unless he says you need to see a solicitor lol
Thanks mate, I've already said to her if it goes to court you could end up getting nothing but she's not budging. I've made steps to see my Dad's solicitor early next week but if you can get me any info in the meantime then that would be appreciated.
If she is just paying bills then they are "running costs" (?) and she would have incured them wherever she was living.
If she has been contributing to the mortgage then any interest element of that would surely also be a monthly "living charge". Anything paid off of the capital may be considered up for debate.
Well she's just been giving me a sum each month, all the bills and mortgage are in my name. So she gives me money, i pay it into my account and then i just use it for whatever.
When she moved in, i worked out what the mortgage and bills totalled then rather than split it 50-50, agreed more like a 65-35 because i earn more.
So she gives me money for a share of everything, no real definition on it being just for the mortgage or just for bills.
Comments
I would try to keep it civil though. From one who has been through a very acrimonous divorce - it just isn't worth it.
Toss her a copy of the Evening Standard or News Shopper and ask her where she will get a better deal than that.
Some people are just unbelievable.
This page - http://www.advicenow.org.uk/living-together/breaking-up/ - may be worth a look if you haven't already.
Hope you get things sorted.
I, personally, wouldn't give her anything as I suspect that three years is way too short to make a claim. Equally if it's going to be a 'common law wife' situation I'm sure you will be able to make a lain on her flat, and she won't want that.
It will depend on how many years you have been together.
If she contributed to the mortgage (even indirectly) then she will have a claim on some equity in the house.
If you have been together a long time then the value can be large based on equity growth.
As said, see a solicitor, it will be worth it.
She's got some fucking nerve - tell the chancer to piss off.
Good luck with this Chris, personally i agree she should be entitled to sweet AFKA, I mean FA
or you can try a nice bluff 'i have gone to see a solicitor who said your entitled to nothing', take the £2k as a goodwill gesture or dont get any
Thanks mate, I've already said to her if it goes to court you could end up getting nothing but she's not budging. I've made steps to see my Dad's solicitor early next week but if you can get me any info in the meantime then that would be appreciated.
She's been living for next to nothing in your house whilst taking rent and paying the mortgage off on her flat.
I'd call the locksmith before the solicitor I think!
I agree 100% with PITL btw
She hasn't got a leg to stand on :-)
If she has been contributing to the mortgage then any interest element of that would surely also be a monthly "living charge". Anything paid off of the capital may be considered up for debate.
But I am no expert.
When she moved in, i worked out what the mortgage and bills totalled then rather than split it 50-50, agreed more like a 65-35 because i earn more.
So she gives me money for a share of everything, no real definition on it being just for the mortgage or just for bills.
Jog on love!