On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Unmarried Couples on Friday, May 15, 2015.
An interesting property dispute has developed recently in Houston, wherein two people seem to have valid claims of ownership to the same house. According to the report, a man who grew up in the house has a deed to the house and claims that it is his, but a woman who also has the deed claims that she owns it, and for the past few months, she has resided in the house. This is because one of the man’s sisters signed the house over to the woman.
While two strangers arguing over ownership of a house in Houston may not seem relevant to unmarried couples in Missouri, it actually exemplifies an interesting issue of property disputes that unmarried couples may face. When two couples live together for long periods of time, they accrue many different assets, from furniture to cars, and houses may be included in that. Unfortunately, as the issue in Houston shows, two people claiming ownership of something can be complicated.
When two people both claim ownership of the same property, whether it be a house or a sofa, it could lead to an issue that must be resolved by courts. This is especially true if neither party can prove ownership of the property or, as in the above mentioned scenario, both parties can prove ownership. For example, if you and a domestic partner each pay half the price of a sofa, it can be difficult to decide who truly owns the sofa and thus who receives the sofa if the two of you break up.
If you find yourself in a property dispute with a former domestic partner, it is highly recommended that you contact an attorney. An attorney can help you find ways to establish ownership or ensure that you do not lose assets that were yours before the domestic partnership began.
Source: abc13.com, “SQUATTER OR HOMEOWNER? PROPERTY DISPUTE BREWING IN ALIEF,” Jessica Willey, May 8, 2015
