Can I force a former girlfriend to give up part ownership of a house if she never paid anything when the house was purchased?
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Can I force a former girlfriend to give up part ownership of a house if she never paid anything when the house was purchased?
A while back I bought a house which I myself paid for in full with cash. The money used to pay for the house came from the sale of land that my brother and I owned jointly (given to us from our parents after they divorced) and then sold. At the time I was feeling generous and put my then girlfriends name on the deed to the house (worst decision ever). A few years later she broke it off with me and I have moved out the house which she still feels entitled to since I put her name on the deed. I want to now sell the house but would like to know if I can legally take her name off of the deed?
Asked on November 19, 2011 under Real Estate Law, North Carolina
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you put your former girlfriend's name on the real property that you are writing about by signing a deed and having it recorded with your county recorder's office, you made a gift to her of whatever interest in the property she now has in it.
Once a gift of real property has been made and fully completed as in your situation, the former girlfriend now has an interest in the real property with you. You cannot legally take her name off the property unless she agrees to it. You might consider making her an offer to buy out her interest in the property.
Likewise, you might consider consulting with a real estate further about your situation.
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