Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Indiana

Re: Ex-Fiance leaves me w/ many debts

There is no very practical solution for most ex-fiance debt situations. About the best you can do is consider the experience an investment in your future well-being. I'm sure you are worth it. If this were like a business partnership, then you could claim that the money was a capital contribution to the common enterprise, and when the partnership was dissolved you could retreive your capital. But in a lovers partnership, a person doesn't expect a money profit. At least, you don't; maybe your fiance does. In a business partnership, partners must treat each other's property with care and honesty, standards that can be enforced by legal action. There is no legal remedy against a lover who mistreats the assets of the relationship. In a business context, you could sue for fraud or conversion (theft) or debt. In a personal relationship, unequal property contributions are generally considered gifts, and even if the gift was induced by fraud, there will be no legal remedy. As for the credit card fraud, cooperate fully with the card company and police. Do not use this claim as a bargaining chip against the ex, since that could make you an accessory of sorts to his criminality. The engagement ring is yours to keep or sell. Any other property of his, like the truck, you can use to offset the debts you incurred. You could still try to get a judgment against this person, particularly for your contribution to his divorce settlement, and you might succeed. But if you ever do obtain such a judgment, I imagine the best thing to do is assign it to a collection agency and forget about it. And consider this: had he left you with a child to raise, the expense would have far exceeded $25,000. So, that's about one year's tuition. Put it to good use and move on. Good luck.