Can my ex-girlfriend sue for repayment of money used on bills we incurred while a couple?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can my ex-girlfriend sue for repayment of money used on bills we incurred while a couple?
I was involved with a woman for 5 years until last year. For about a year of that time I was unemployed and had minimal income. She paid a majority of the rent and bills. Due to many indiscretions on her part, we split up and she now wants me to repay her for rent, utility bills, groceries and so on for that time period. Of course throughout our relationship I picked up the slack many times never expecting to be re-compensated. Does she actually have ground to stand on and should I expect a judge to actually rule in her favor?
Asked on May 9, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It depends on what was the understanding or agreement at the time she made these payments on your behalf. If there was an agreement (including an oral one) AT THAT TIME that the monies she was paying were a loan that would be repaid, she may enforce that agreement. On the other hand, if at the time the payments were made, there was no expectation of repayment, she may not, after the fact, require you to repay them. A loan must be loan at the time it was made.
So whether she can sue you, or if she sues you, prevail, will depend on what was the agreement at the time--and if you and she disagree about that, who is more credible. If there was a pattern that over the course of your relationship, you each would pay expenses for the other without an expectation of repayment, that would be good evidence that you do not need to repay her.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.