Cumberland Center, ME asked in Business Law and Divorce for Maine

Q: My wife get a loan for a building before we got married after a month we got married and we made it business and house.

Back then we said we will have the business and the building 50-50. We spend a lot of money to make it restaurant because was offices and the top floor we made it apartment with bathroom and everything. She never paid a penny before we got married she just get the loan on her name before and nothing else. After that for 2.5 years we was paying everything together the loan and all the needs for this building and business. The transformation of the building cost a lot of money too. Now we getting divorce and my wife saying I bought it before we got married so it’s mine and you don’t have nothing to do with it. Especially with the building probably only with business. Again the building it’s not even the same and Iam

Pretty sure she never paid even a payment before the marriage, she only got the loan. I have anything to do with this building and this business at all ?

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2 Lawyer Answers
Albert Hansen
Albert Hansen
Answered
  • Kennebunk, ME
  • Licensed in Maine

A: Yes, you have an equitable interest in the property and should be compensated.

Robert Guillory
Robert Guillory
Answered

A: it sounds like you certainly have an interest in the real estate and business. Even if the land was purchased by her before the marriage any increase in value of the real estate due to marital effort would be considered marital property. you should get an attorney to represent you in this regard. good luck.

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