If the divorce papers statethat the house is mine, can I change the locks?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If the divorce papers statethat the house is mine, can I change the locks?
Ex-wife is taking her time getting out. What will the police do if I do this? She hasn’t put forth any money this month. Does she have a certain amount of time.?
Asked on August 21, 2010 under Family Law, Arkansas
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
I need to understand where you are in the divorce process. I think that you are done, correct? And the house was awarded to you in the divorce proceeding? Then if you have an order granting you possession you can surely change the locks. I would also send her something in writing advising her that she needs to have the stuff out by a certain date or you will take the necessary steps to remove the property (I wouldn't really do anything to her stuff; it could be seen as conversion; you may need to go to court again or put the stuff in storage). The part of your question that baffles me is the money for the month part. That makes me think that you may not have been awarded the house outright. I would check with your lawyer on all of this and take suggestions from him or her on how to proceed. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.