Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

Re: Supported boyfriend through school

The situation you described does not involve family law. The reason is that you have no rights as a girlfriend. However, principals of contract law may apply.

A contract is formed when two or more people agree to perform certain acts with each party receiving a benefit. The contract can be oral or written. Even if there is no specific contract, there is a doctrine known as unjust enrichment. That allows the court to apply contract law to a situation where one party receives a benefit from another and that party knows he or she should be obligated to repay the debt.

If you and your boyfriend had an agreement to repay the money you expended, it must contain material terms. One important term for a loan is the method and period of repayment. The difficulty you may have is proving that this was indeed a loan, and not a gift. If it was a loan, when was he supposed to repay you? Were you entitled to interest? These are questions which must be answered for the court to enforce it.

To enforce the contract, you can sue him at the district justice. Check your blue pages or consult an attorney to determine the appropriate district justice.

I trust this has been helpful, but feel free to call or e-mail with any questions.