Ex-partner wants house bought with inheritance despite my name on deeds

[Guffy]

My partner and I were together for 10 years. I loved her dearly and believe we had a strong relationship. About 5 years in she came into a sum of money after her father sadly died and she decided to buy a house with the money so we could set up home together. She decided to put my name on the deeds effectively giving me half the house. I cautioned her at the time that it was a big step and a generous gift but she said she loved me and it was our home. A year or so ago, after 6 months of lying and deceiving me, she left me for a local man. I now live in the house on my own but she is indicating that the house belongs to her because she ‘paid for it with my dad’s money’. Where do I stand legally please?

As ever go and see a solicitor

Legally you own half but morally it's hers and she was silly to add you on the deeds.
You should move out

Legally you own 50%. In equity it may be the same- she promised it was half yours and you relied on that to your detriment by giving up your job, and moving. Litigation is expensive however so you might wish to avoid it and settle for a lower share

I agree with the suggestion to take proper advice, as whilst I'm no expert, I'd be wanting to check whether willingly giving up an asset might impact any benefits you may otherwise rely on to house yourself

Move out, have some pride and self respect and leave the house for the deceitful bitch to enjoy!

You own half the house. You could either buy her out, or sell the house and take your share to put towards a house of your own.

I would get legal advice, OP, but I think you need to get this settled. You have both got a claim on the house, personally, I would rather move on and live in a place an ex had no claim on. Coming to a legal settlement without involving courts would be much cheaper and less stressful.

Your ex was beyond stupid but your OP made me laugh.

You cautioned her about not ringfencing her inheritance so now it's ok to take advabtage of her stupidity/faith in you!

Take legal advice- you have a claim on the property and if that's what you think is right go for it.

I’ll be honest, I think morals went out the window when she cheated. Whatever the deeds say.

A cock lodger relied on a representation to his detriment - priceless! Sorry, no critique of you, what you wrote is absolutely correct, but still funny.

Some of these replies are embarrassing to read. If you have written my husband instead of my wife they would be telling you it's 50:50.

Get legal advice and look after yourself!😊

The beauty of our courts is that they can turn every valid and legally binding contract on its head, i.e. render it invalid by using, thank you, Lord Hoffmann, a 'reasonable interpretation'. Your ex is richer, so she will get good legal representation and will argue that because the house was bought with her funds, you have misled her, cajoled her and even pressured her to put your name on the deeds. I know Hoffmann is contractual law, but I am sure they will apply something similar and you will be left with a huge legal bill to pay as well, as living on the streets.

They arent married

Given she did the dirty on you I'd be the bitch that says you want half the house. Or at least something out of it.

You are pushing retirement so too late to get a mortgage.
But for your future it makes sense to move back near your daughter.

Leaving aside the moral and ethical issues and what other financial arrangements you and your ex-partner had during your time together, you need to take expert legal advice based on the distinction between legal owner and beneficial owner of a property.

Both your names may well be on the land registry entry but, in reality, this can mean very little. If she put up all the purchase money, she will be able to demonstrate that she is the beneficial owner and so be entitled to all the proceeds of the sale. If you put in some of the purchase money, you would be entitled to a commensurate percentage of the proceeds.

Well this the first time I have seen the 'moral' argument rolled out on here. I wonder what changed!

People are assuming Ops a man, I think they were a lesbian couple

Legally the house belongs to whoever’s name is on the deeds - simple as that!

Well she was stupid in the first instance by not ring fencing her inheritance contribution. So with that in mind I guess it should be split 50:50 if you’re married. Are you married? I’m presuming not? In which case I’m not sure what the legal stance on this is but it sounds like you need proper legal advice.

Nope. Her inheritance.

It’s half your house. Whatever anyone says about morality, it sounds like she was aware of the situation and the position it put her in. You can either sell the house jointly, in which case you are entitled to half. Or sell her your share. Either way, morals only really matter if you care about her feelings or can afford the sacrifice.

Half of the house is yours, so sell the house and divide the money in two.

You can guarantee that if it was a woman posting this then the responses would be take half, so it shouldn't be any different for a man.

What happened to your house from before you moved in with her?

No, my answer would have been exactly the same.

My bad, I assumed so.
Either way, OP should at least check what could be their rights legally... not just stick with this morals