We were together for seven years, never married no children. Bought and renovated a house which is now worth £700k. House was in joint names although I had paid for everything, except £35k which he spent on renovations. He was going to get a mortgage to pay for his half of the house but then he got made redundant.
When we split last year the house was transferred back into my sole name. I couldn't afford to pay him the £35K at the time as I didn't have a job so the money he paid was registered as a mortgage to him at the Land Registry. I drew up the documents but they were witnessed by a solicitor.
I now have a better job and want to remortgage but he won't agree. He's arguing that he signed the documents under 'duress and deception' and he now wants £70k in order to release the mortgage.
I have taken him to court, the case has been dragging on and will be heard next May. Both sides legal costs are likely to be around £40k which the loser will have to pay. My solicitor reckons that his 'duress and deception' argument is pretty weak and as the house is now legally in my name he doesn't have a strong case. But judges can sometimes be unpredictable.
It will mean selling the house and downsizing but I could afford to pay him the £70k and if I lose the case I might end up paying more than that.
AIBU to continue the court case or should I just take the hit and pay him off?