Q: we gave our daughter down payment and we live with her, now shes getting divorced, can we get our money back?
house is in her and her husbands name.
A:
Getting your money back from the down payment you gave your daughter can be challenging, especially since the house is in both her and her husband's names. Typically, once money is given for a down payment and the property is purchased, it becomes part of the couple's marital assets. During a divorce, these assets are usually divided according to state laws or through an agreement between the parties.
You may have a stronger claim to the money if there was an agreement in writing that it was a loan rather than a gift. If there is no written agreement, it might be more difficult to prove that you intended to get the money back. You could try negotiating directly with your daughter and her soon-to-be ex-husband to reach an amicable resolution.
It’s important to understand the laws in your state, as they can affect how assets and any contributions are handled during a divorce. Consider consulting with a legal professional who can guide you based on the specific details of your situation and the laws applicable in your area. Taking this step could help you better understand your options and decide how to proceed.
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.