D
"Common law marriage" doesn't exist. There are in existing law some very, very limited rights for people who have been cohabiting "as man and wife" for a number of years (under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, certain social welfare provisions - which usually but not always leave cohabitants worse off!, the Domestic Violence Acts, and a couple of other things which currently escape me).[...]... but if in the future things were to turn a bit sour, where would we stand on this? Is there such thing as common law marraige in Ireland? Would she be entitled to anything regarding my home if we split up?
once engaged its an enforceable contract in that you can sue and my win if the engagement is broken offengaged publically
... Theoretically she could, at some point in the future, demand a share in the house since we only have your word for it that her contribution is used for bills. She might have a different slant on it and say that she contributed to a pool of money, some of which was used for mortgage payments etc....
...and who said romance was dead, huh ?
I'd also sign a legal agreement and am always surprised that a lot of couples don't do it even when its a joint purchase.
You own a substantial asset and its perfectly logical to take steps to protect.
When we were getting married, we both agreed that
'what was his was mine and what was mine was my own'. It's worked 25 years now.
Exactly! .... that's why an agreement might be needed. At least with marriage the divorce process will sort things. Living with someone is always forever if/until something happens to sully the relationship. If that happens both parties will be glad if an agreement exists. It will at least make the parting a lot easier and financially less expensive on both sides.
Emm Paddy, I'm not sure if your read our agreement correctly. Ultimately I get everything!! (as it should be!!)
I'd call it planning ahead. Fair play to OP, love is only blind if you let it be.
There was a case in the UK last year where a girlfriend got half the house in court. The house and mortgage was in boyfriends name but she claimed to have paid 50% of bills etc. If I remember correctly there were no children involved.
Not any more you can't. It used to be possible to take an action for breach of promise (a marvellous notion, which landed Mr. Pickwick in debtor's prison), but that was abolished a few years ago. Though remarkably few, really - about 20 or so, I think.afaik once engaged its an enforceable contract in that you can sue and my win if the engagement is broken off
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