Shreveport, LA asked in Divorce for Louisiana

Q: If my wife had our house before we were married, after 18 years how would this be handled

My wife has battled breast cancer twice during our marriage and will not be able to return to work due to the affects of the cancer treatment and is currently awaiting on disability benefits to be revealed. I would like to know if I'm entitled to half of everything I have worked and helped pay for over the 17 years of marriage or as she puts it I'm not entitled to anything and I should have to keep paying the Bill's untill her disability funds start coming in at witch time I can leave with nothing except for a vehicle that she says she will help me get. She accuses me of cheating and says she has proof...witch cant be true because I have not cheated on her, I have tried to be strong for both of us but I finally have reached the end of my rope in a situation that is verbally abusive on both sides at times and I am ready to go our separate ways and both of us find the happiness we both deserve

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1 Lawyer Answer
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Answered
  • Covington, LA
  • Licensed in Louisiana

A: First, if you have not been unfaithful, then you both need to go to marital counseling.

Second, if she had the house before you were married, then it is her separate property.

Third, if you divorce, you are entitled to a reimbursement claim for mortgage payments during the marriage.

Fourth, if she is disabled, you are probably going to be ordered to pay spousal support.

Consult with a family law attorney, if the counseling doesn't work.

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