Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

Re: Business with ex-girlfriend

Washington has rules regulating construction contractors, and contractors are strictly liable for knowledge of an compliance with the applicable rules.

If they were registered contractors, and he was an employee, there should be books available for review.

Conversely, Washington will not easily find a meretricious relationship but WILL find an implied partnership where two people jointly work to reach a common goal. A suit over the business could be dismissed if the court thought this was a meretricious relationship. But a implied partnership finding could raise a whole host of problems for your fiance.

I (or any other attorney) would want to review the documentation involved in this implied partnership and the contracts under which the two parties worked, the company's status with L&I and the company's books before making any recommendation regarding suing her on ANY theory.

Sometimes it's better to just let it go, because the alternative can open the doors to more liability than you want.

Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell

Re: Business with ex-girlfriend

Whether he is entitled to any compensation depends entirely upon his contract or agreement with her. From his failure to pursue the matter for so long -- I suspect that he is out of luck.

Re: Business with ex-girlfriend

All of the facts would have to be discussed to see if there was some type of oral agreement for employment. If you are interested in a consultation, please contact my office.