CanI assume ownership of a property if a co-owner is not paying their share or not paying iton time?
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CanI assume ownership of a property if a co-owner is not paying their share or not paying iton time?
I purchased a duplex with my husband’s cousin. He never pays his part on time and I have been covering him. We told him we wanted his part on or before the first of the month when it is due. He also has caused quite a bit of damage to the property; most likely more than he has paid into the house so far. We only purchased the house 1 1/2 years ago.
Asked on November 2, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
If you have a partner in a home that is not paying his or her share of the expenses and have no written agreement as to the partnership, you cannot assume sole ownership of the property if a co-owner is not paying his or her share for its upkeep and debt load.
If you are paying that person's share, you have an equitable lien upon the property for what you have paid. I suggest that you and the husband's cousin enter into a written partnership agreement over the duplex prepared by a real estate attorney. In it, expenses need to be covered as well as reimbursement. As you can see, the partnership agreement should have been done and signed before the property was purchased. Good luck.
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