On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Unmarried Couples on Friday, April 10, 2015.
It is becoming increasingly common for couples in lengthy relationships to move in together before marriage. Of course this is wonderful for couples who feel so secure in their relationships, but unfortunately couples in this position are not considering what would happen if they split. Breaking up is the last thing on your mind when you move in with your significant other, but it is important to remember that it is a possibility.
If you and your significant other live together for an extended period of time and end up splitting, the aftermath could be very complex for both of you. As cohabitating domestic partners, you will likely accrue many assets in your life together. Naturally, some of these assets will be purchased as a couple (furniture such as beds and sofas for example), and other assets will be purchased for individual use (such as personal computers or cars). Depending on your circumstances, the division of these assets could be difficult in the event of a breakup.
In Missouri, even if you are in a domestic relationship, any property you own or purchase is still considered personal property. You may think this makes asset division easy, but this is not necessarily the case. If you and your partner each paid for a portion of an item, for example, you may both have a claim staked in that particular item. Additionally, unless you maintain records of each purchase, you may have a hard time proving whose items are whose.
If you and your former domestic partner find yourselves in a property, you should consider meeting with an attorney to help you with the process of asset division. Our webpage will give you more information on what you can expect moving forward with your property dispute. While you are there, you can set up a consultation to discuss the aspects of your case with us and figure out what your best options are.
