Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

My 19 yr old daughter and her 22 yr old girlfriend currently live in the basement of my split level home. My daughter works, her girlfriend does not and they are not paying any kind of rent or compensation for their stay. This was only suppose to be temporary until they were both working and could find their own apartment. That has not happened and now it is apparent that "the wool has been pulled over my eyes" and they are just coasting along in my basement...for free!! I am currently unemployed and their extra costs are killing me financially. How do I get them out? They are also talking about having a commitment ceremony to join their relationship. My opinion is that if that happens, that is the equivalent of a marriage ceremony and then you have to move out. Any suggestions? HELP!!


Asked on 10/25/09, 7:51 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

This is not a family law question. It is landlord tenant. You should offer them a rental agreement, with reasonable terms including rent, if they don't sign it, give them a notice of rent increase (to whatever is reasonable) and if they don't comply, follow eviction procedure. As to the commitment ceremony, I am not aware of a legal principle that would require them to move out upon completion of a commitment ceremony, in fact discrimination on the basis of marital status could land you in some serious trouble.

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Answered on 10/30/09, 9:36 pm


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