Legal Question in Family Law in California
My fiance called off our wedding with just 4 months to go... (he had apparently kept our intent to marry a secret from his fundemental religious family, and the cat was out of the bag, (yes, really).
My family and I lost significant sums on the venue and deposits for vendors (which he helped to select). I also purchased his wedding band for him (that he also picked out). I have asked him to help share in the burdens and to purchase his ring from me, and he said he would help, though the help never came and I am now met with silent resistence. Is there a legal route I may take to get him to contribute to half of the expenses? We had a formal, public, 7 month engagement, which I see as a contract to marry. I certainly would not have paid these expenses without a solid promise to marry. Is there anything I can do?? He lives in AZ, I'm in CA. Thanks.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Your case is pretty unusualy, I have never heard of any situation similar to that. Usually there would be contract principals are work, like who made promises and what are the responsibilities of each in the wedding costs. You would need to take him either to small claims court if the amount requested is small enough or traditional civil court if it is more than the small claims limit. I think you do have a case though to ask that he help with the costs of the cancelled contracts you took out in preparation for the wedding that never happened. You would need to speak with a civil attorney as a family lawyer deals with marriages that were completed.
For self represented individuals you can consult with the family law facilitator self help center at your local court house.
As always please consult a local attorney prior to taking legal action. Good luck. Also please check out my Santa Clara County Family Lawyer blog.
Law Offices James Chau
1625 The Alameda Suite 204
San Jose, CA. 95126
http://www.jameschaulaw.com/
http://sanjosefamilylawyer.blogspot.com/
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