Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Unmarried couple/home equity rights

My question: Does my partner

have a right to the increase in

equity in the house since he

moved in?

My unmarried partner and I are

splitting up after 6 years living

together. We were engaged to be

married. I bought my home before

my partner moved in with me. At

that time, he lived on his sailboat.

The mortgage is in my name. My

partner and I have separate

checking, and savings accounts.

My partner wants to be paid 40%

of the equity since the home's

value has risen over the time

we've been together. Housing

prices have climbed steadily in our

area. My partner has done some

remodeling over the years (e.g.

updated downstairs 1/2 bath, tiled

and sheetrocked downstairs dining

area, built a backyard bench and

grape arbor) as well as put in time

maintaining the yard, cars, and

helped out inside the house (e.g.

fixing things, house cleaning, etc.)

I have helped pay for some of the

remodeling expenses. I have made

all the mortgage payments as well

as pay all the household bills (they

are in my name) with the exception

of the Cell phone plan. I have paid

70% of the food bills. My two sons

(previous marriage) live with me. I

want to be fair. How much is he

entitled to?


Asked on 2/02/08, 4:57 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

James Vasquez In Pacta, PLLC

Re: Unmarried couple/home equity rights

From the facts that you provided, under Washington law, since you are unmarried, your partner would likely only be entitled to the amount contributed for improvements made to the home. Only if your partner can show that the increase in equity is directly due to the improvements, and not simply the market then your partner could argue that he/she should be entitled to a percentage of the increased equity (not the entire equity).

Read more
Answered on 2/04/08, 3:04 pm


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