Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Massachusetts

Ex-Fiancee suing for equity in the house
Hello,

My question pertains to a house that I own and am living in now. I bought the house from my ex-fiance's parents (we were engaged at the time I bought it) because her father asked me to. Her parents were planning on selling the house anyway and asked me to buy it since I was looking for a house at the time. The house was appraised for a certain amount and the father sold it to me for less than the appraisal. The house is in my name alone.

I moved into the house with my fiance and her 3 children and paid all the bills, including the mortgage. She did not work and stayed home with the children.

Things did not work out, we broke up and I let her stay in the house with the children as long as she needed (I was still paying all of the bills) until she found a new place.

She is now suing me for the difference in the appraisal price versus the price I paid for the house, saying she brought that equity into the deal.

She is also trying to sue for half the profits if I ever sell the house.

Is she entitled to this money?

Thank you.

Asked on 1/23/04, 11:00 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

henry lebensbaum Law Offices of Henry Lebensbaum (978-749-3606)

0 users found helpful

0 attorneys agreed

Re: Ex-Fiancee suing for equity in the house

I am not sure that I understand. BUt let me see. Deals involving land must be in a writing. Sound like you bought and the parents sold their entire share of the property to you. You either paid the entire amount, or a down payment w/a mortgage. Meanwhile your girlfriend moved in and lived rent-free? Now she claims an interest. It sounds like whatever heartfelt agreement you had was not in a writing, and she is probably not entitled to any share. You may be entitled to rent from her, and in any case, this is not a case you should do without the assistance of an attorney.

Answered on 1/23/04, 3:03 pm

Mark as helpful