Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

I live in Texas. I bought a home before I was married and my husband moved in. He now has left and will be filing for divorce. Will I have to pay him for any "improvements: done to my house? He paid for some directly and some he wrote checks to me to pay for.


Asked on 2/11/11, 6:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Thomas Daley KoonsFuller PC

It depends on how much he paid. You may owe reimbursement to the community estate for the increase in value of the property based on the improvements, not the cost of the improvements. For example, if he spent $25,000 adding a pool to the backyard and a real estate professional says that increased the value of your home by $10,000, then you might owe $10,000 to the community estate. The community estate would also be due reimbursement for the reduction in principal of any loans secured by the house, if community income was used to reduce the principal amount owed.

HOWEVER, Texas law also provides for offsets. Normally, the reimbursement claims are offset by the other party having the use and benefit of having a place to live.

Property disputes of this nature are very complicated. Please consult with a local family law attorney so that you can go over all your assets and claims in detail.

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Answered on 2/14/11, 9:41 am


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