Grandview, WA asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Washington

Q: I was wondering what my legal obligations are as a co-owner to a home.

I was kicked out of my home and she had her family move in and is threatening to take legal action if I don’t pay my half of the mortgage. I’m willing to pay my half but I would like her family to move out. I was wondering how much legal power I have here and what would happen if I stopped paying my half.

1 Lawyer Answer
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: As a co-owner of a home, you have the right to occupy the property and use it for residential purposes. You also have the right to receive any rental income that is generated from the property. However, you also have the obligation to pay your share of the mortgage payment, property taxes, and other expenses associated with maintaining the property.

In your situation, it sounds like your co-owner has violated your rights by kicking you out of the property and moving her family in. You have the right to take legal action to enforce your rights as a co-owner. However, you should also be aware that your co-owner may also have legal claims against you.

If you don't pay your half of the mortgage, your co-owner could foreclose on the property. This would mean that you would lose your ownership interest in the property. Your co-owner could also sue you for breach of contract.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.