Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Missouri

Re: Small Claims Material or Not?

You might be able to take him to court on the wedding expenses. It depends who incurred the debt. On the lease, you should try to get a roommate. If not, you may be able to go after him. However, a judgment is only a judgment. You may not be able to collect.

Re: Small Claims Material or Not?

Broken engagement case questions are never easy to answer. You have not provided detail, so I must answer very generally. Do not act on my advice without getting further counsel from someone who knows more of the particulars of your situation.

Planning a wedding is like entering a partnership. If you both looked at aparticular reception hall, and then one placed a deposit down for the agreed date, the one who backs out could be liable to the other for their half of the deposit, if it cannot be refunded by the hall. The same could be true of flowers, napkins, invitations, a band or DJ, etc.

The apartment is another matter. Usually the written lease agreement itself will spell out your liability in the case that a roomate moves out. Generally, the one who moves out is liable for their share of the rent for the remainder of the lease period, pending subleasing. That means, if you find another roomate, then your former finance will probably not be liable for rent after that.

Good Luck,

Tony Smith