Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

jointly owned

my ex and i purchased property in 1989 refinanced to consolidate bills in 1998.we were considered comon law.have 2 kids.in 2001 we seperated he said he would make mortgage payments.he has not lived in property since 2002 i do not have key to property he changed locks.on jan.18/2003 the was on fire neglect on his part he received insurance money12,000 he did repairs to get 50% inspection and kept rest.the is as been empty for so long i dont feel it is worth any thing .he has ruined my credit. insurance company said i dont have a say since it been so long what he did with insurance money. i been fighting this issue since fire this home is still vacant he doent want to sell he doesnt want to give me anything. iam renting a home while he lives with girlfreind rent free.i cant purchase a home because he has my credit ruined,i have contacted law officers in my area and nicb.i just seem to get the run around.please help


Asked on 7/28/08, 11:25 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: jointly owned

You should have done something a long time ago - had to say it. You have put any and all possible parties on notice you are not responsible for his obligations. Send WRITTEN notice, by return receipt mail, to everyone, such as any utility company, saying you are not living there and are not responsible for his debts. You have to sue for child support if you have not already, you need to file suit to force the sale of the property, asking for the value of the rental value of the house for any time he lived there w/o you. Ask for him to be responsible for the cost to complete any necessary repairs and for causing "waste" (legally he has cause "waste" by not repairing and maintaining the property). If you don't have enough money, go to legal services. I know it is a depressing situation, and you may feel overwhelmed, and you don't want to deal with it, but DO SOMETHING !!!!!!!!! Ask family or friends for help if you have to (they will probably be relieved and happy to help because you are doing something instead of complaining about him), just do something!

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Answered on 7/29/08, 11:06 am


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