If you have lived together unmarried for 26 years and have had a house for 21 of those years, does the property still get split in half?

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If you have lived together unmarried for 26 years and have had a house for 21 of those years, does the property still get split in half?

Asked on January 3, 2017 under Family Law, Illinois

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 7 years ago | Contributor

The house belongs to whomever it was titled to--i.e. the person(s) on the deed. Those are the people who are entitled to a share or split of the value of the property. Living in a home, and even paying costs for it, even for many years, gives you interest in or right to the property.
If you are married, you would have a right to a share of the value because you are a spouse (in the event of a divorce, that is). However, marriage is a specific, legally recognized relationship. Living together unmarried, however, does not give you the rights of a spouse; it does not, for example, give you an interest in the home or any rights to any other property or assets of your unmarried partner.


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