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LAW/DIVORCE YOUR THOUGHTS

MFIMFI Member Posts: 7,899 ✭✭✭
edited March 2014 in General Discussion
Buddy of mine in the shop today telling me his story. What do you think. Keep in mind this all happened when he was married and this is NYS:

1) He was given as a gift from his dying father out of his IRA $145,000 to buy a house. Buddy was married at the time. Wife contributed no money towards the house and has paid nothing in 6 years for taxes or anything in the house. If they divorce does the wife have half the claim of the house when it sells? His lawyer says she has no rights to claim because this was a gift from the father. His wife's lawyer says she gets half of everything.

2) Also he sold two buildings one a building in a trust fund with his brother and another a house he inherited from his grandmother before she passed away. Does she have claim to half of the money for these buildings ? Again his lawyer says no way her lawyer says half ..

What do you guys think ?
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Comments

  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    By NY law, I think he is screwed....unless he can out-lawyer her.
  • dcon12dcon12 Member Posts: 32,040 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MFI
    What do you guys think ?



    Won't be the first time she screwed him. Don
  • ruger41ruger41 Member Posts: 14,665 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If she has a good enough lawyer then hell yes she will get some of it. Friend of mine just went through a 3 year process to be rid of his exwife. They bought a home in Pasadena, CA with money from a family(his) Trust for $300K over 20 years ago. She barely worked during that time. Fast forward and they decide to divorce. House in now worth $1.2 Million. She not only ended up with a check for $300K, she ended up with 1/4 of his retirement which she can't get til he actually retires.

    If your friends wife has a good enough lawyer, and isn't in a rush, she certainly could get some of that money. Either way the lawyers on both sides win no matter who loses.
  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    it's cheaper to keep her, looks like he is going to be loosing bunch of money
  • SawzSawz Member Posts: 6,049
    edited November -1
    here it depends on how long they are married, after a certain time span it becomes community property doesnt matter where it came from then its halfsies
  • Spider7115Spider7115 Member Posts: 29,704 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Did he own the house before they married or during the marriage? Is her name also on the deed? It most likely will be considered marital property unless he bought it prior to marriage and his name is the only one on the deed. Even then, her lawyer could claim the husband contributed it to the marital assets.
  • MFIMFI Member Posts: 7,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They have been married 7 years I believe. .House bought during marriage..
  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,352 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    should have created a trust fund and allowed the fund to buy the house.

    I would be glad to give her half if it gets 100% of her BS out of my life.
  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,637 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've been down this road a couple of times. Tell you bud "Sorry but...".
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
  • MFIMFI Member Posts: 7,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    So you guys are saying his lawyer doesn't know what he is talking about ?
  • legearlegear Member Posts: 6,716
    edited November -1
    Take her on a last ditch find the love trip to Mexico and trade her for a bottle of worm spit
  • the middlethe middle Member Posts: 3,089
    edited November -1
    I would be cheaper for him to....


    1)kiss her * and keep her

    2)kill her.....with a good lawyer, he'd get out in 2 years...and if lucky, could claim temporary insanity and get her life insurance also...and he's in NY, so he can't own guns already anyway....

    Sad but true.......
  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,637 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's not a question of a lawyer not knowing what he is talking about. He is offering his legal opinion. Whether he is correct or not will be decided in court.
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
  • mr.tboltmr.tbolt Member Posts: 449
    edited November -1
    Speaking from my experience, he should get a good lawyer. NY is a 50/50 split at time of divorce. And I would have the lawyer look into the money that was given to him by his father.
  • calrugerfancalrugerfan Member Posts: 18,209
    edited November -1
    Sounds like the lawyer may be giving him some false hope in order to get more fees. I would consult a couple more attorneys.
  • ithaca4meithaca4me Member Posts: 538 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here in Ohio My mother just went through this.If her name is on the deed yes she is entitled if no and he can prove all the money came from an inheritance and not a penny from anywhere else then no she is not entititled. If he took the money from the sale of the houses and put in a joint account then she gets half if he put it in a seperate account and did not add any of his personal money then no she can not touch it. I hope he kept recipts her attorney and his attorney gain more the longer they fight the best thing to do is pony up some money and cut your losses. The attorney gets a 3rd plus his flat rate so maybe he can explain that to her and maybe she will come to her senses but if not and I was pissed enough I would drag it out until there is not a penny left for either one.
  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    To be honest about it, in most cases, the woman deserves more than 50 percent of everything for putting up with our sorry * over the years! [:)]
  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are a lot of details missing in your post. If his lawyer is telling him her claim is not valid then he has a reason to tell him that. It may well be she does not have the claim she thinks she does. Her lawyer is going to try to get all he can get for her and will argue anything to do so.

    One thing about law suits, which is what a divorce is, never agree to anything you are not willing to accept, never ever never.

    If she does not have a strong claim she loses nothing but attorny fees by going to court and trying to win. There is no incentive for her to admit she does not have 1/2 of this property coming to her.

    He on the other hand stands to lose by going to court, if the judge is convinvced she has any claim at all. It's a good time to offer a settlement before the trial.

    She could win nothing in court and may take what she can get without a trial or she may go to court and swing for the home run. He could win in court and owe her nothing on these properties or he could lose up to 1/2 of them.

    If it was me I would sharpen my pencil and decide what I could accept. Anything less than or up to that I would accept without taking my chances in court. Anything more and I would go to court and let if fall where it will. He will not lose more than 1/2 in court so there is no incentive for him to offer her 1/2 now.

    Both lawyers know this and they also know they get paid everytime they trade paper.

    Best of luck to your friend.
  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    I'd say your buddies lawyer is correct, at least here in Texas he would be correct, Im sure he knows the laws of his State if he's a divorce lawyer.

    I'd been married 15 years when my Mom left me a property and my X TRIED to get it or have it sold and get half the money during a divorce, didnt happen, she could not touch it, there wasnt even a fight over it as her lawyer told her it was a lost cause...[;)]
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MFI
    They have been married 7 years I believe. .House bought during marriage..


    Community property
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MFI
    So you guys are saying his lawyer doesn't know what he is talking about ?


    It wouldn't be the first time.
  • bigoutsidebigoutside Member Posts: 19,443
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shilowar
    quote:Originally posted by MFI
    They have been married 7 years I believe. .House bought during marriage..


    Community property


    I think NY is a common law state.
    But from past experience, it's all a negotiation.

    And also from past experience, it's the best money he will ever spend.
  • JunkballerJunkballer Member Posts: 9,309 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That's why shows like "Unsolved Mysteries" are common on todays TV, spouses sometimes just up and disappear [:0] [;)] [:D]

    "Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee

  • nards444nards444 Member Posts: 3,994 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    anything that was acquired during marriage can mostly likely mean a 50/50 split in the state of NY. Now there can be bargaining and what not but thats how it goes. Your buddy is best off finding a way to pay her off.

    In the end theres always two sides to the story. Your buddy probably says the womens a beeotch money grabbing skank bla bla. But in the end your buddy is probabl an * hat as well. I never believe anybody in these cases.
  • NEIAPredatorNEIAPredator Member Posts: 1,443
    edited November -1
    She's going to get half. It's just going to happen. It's not right, but it is the way it is. If you enter into a marriage in today's world, you may as well just figure on giving half your stuff up. I have even seen a friend with a pre-nup agreement have to turn over half. Best to find a woman with the same focus as you, if you plan on marriage. My wife would get half of everything here........half the debt that is. [:D]
  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In MO anything acquired during the marriage is subject to communal property splits. I tried to evade the regs by having Mom will some land to my kids but Grouch Attack prevailed and now she has her 1/2 of something she didn't do anything to get.
    My thoughts are go back through the years and see what percentage of income each partner contributed and make the split based on who paid for what. Those females who sit on their lard butt and contribute little while riding hubby's success should get very little.
  • nards444nards444 Member Posts: 3,994 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
    In MO anything acquired during the marriage is subject to communal property splits. I tried to evade the regs by having Mom will some land to my kids but Grouch Attack prevailed and now she has her 1/2 of something she didn't do anything to get.
    My thoughts are go back through the years and see what percentage of income each partner contributed and make the split based on who paid for what. Those females who sit on their lard butt and contribute little while riding hubby's success should get very little.


    No I agree. Problem is specially in NY unless its in a prenump of which you cant prenump for things that are anticipated or future gains its what you came into the marriage for(most of the time, there some things you can protect). Problem is if they were married for 7 years and property came into their hands say year 3-4. thats 3-4 years that the wife even if she didnt earn an income can say she took care of their kids, maintained the property etc. Now if that property came into the hands of both of them within the last few months he mighht have a case. Problem is, if they have kids hes done for sure, he my as well try and negoiate the best deal he can before the judge gives her half or even more. Thats the law of the land.
  • JgreenJgreen Member Posts: 2,579 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is what I do for a living.

    1. As a general rule, if you buy it during the marriage, it's joint property. 50/50.

    2. As a general rule, what you have before you are married, you get in the divorce.

    3. As a general rule, if you inherit anything, you keep it in the divorce.

    Now, let's talk about exceptions.

    1. If the assets or overall situation is such that it would be inequitable for one party to leave the marriage with nothing, and therre "premarital" assets that can be used to make things right, guess what - you can invade it.

    2. If you have a pre-marital asset that apprecaites in value, if the spouse didn't do anything to cause that increase, for example, dividends on stock that are reinvested in stock, it remains the property of the original owner. But if the spouse helped it grow in value, for example, if you own patents, and the spouse works a job that allows you to enforce those patents, or if the spouse helps with the upkeep or mortgage payments on a cottage, the spouse has a claim.

    3. If you "co mingle" assets, you lose them. So if you inherit $, put it in your joint account, and pay bills with it, and buy a boat, etc., that's a marital asset.

    The bottom line is that the court is going to look at what is fair.

    Your buddy was given a "gift" that he co-mingled. If his dad wanted to give it to him and him alone, the dad should have either bought the house himself, or had a loan agreement, or been a co-owner of the house. Wife may have been a PITA, but they were married, that was their arrangement - she watches TV, he works. Or maybe she cleaned the house, was a mother to the children, etc. She's getting half "ish" of the house. May be some room to negotiate, but she's got a good claim.

    As far as the inheritance, what did he do with the money? Just because it is co mingled doesn't mean "automatically" half, but his claim is stronger on this.
  • joker5656joker5656 Member Posts: 5,598 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Should have gotten a prenuptial agreement, especially if he knew there was money in a will for him....
  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,233 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Smitty500mag
    To be honest about it, in most cases, the woman deserves more than 50 percent of everything for putting up with our sorry * over the years! [:)]
    Kind of derailing the post, but yep, that is my opinion.
  • JgreenJgreen Member Posts: 2,579 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The rule in divorce is:

    "It is the Effing you get for the Effing you got."
  • Don McManusDon McManus Member Posts: 23,695 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    He can fight her; 20% or more can go to lawyers, and he will be left with less than 50%.

    Or, he can accept the community property nature of the house and the cash and he and his ex can both walk away with 50%.

    The added bonus of option 2 is that it is over much sooner.
    Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.

    Brad Steele
  • ltcdotyltcdoty Member Posts: 4,184 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Now I'm going to have nightmares about my ex...[xx(]
  • TwoDogsTwoDogs Member Posts: 2,011 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would tell him to cut and run.
    It is only money.
    Happiness is more important.
  • nards444nards444 Member Posts: 3,994 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
    He can fight her; 20% or more can go to lawyers, and he will be left with less than 50%.

    Or, he can accept the community property nature of the house and the cash and he and his ex can both walk away with 50%.

    The added bonus of option 2 is that it is over much sooner.



    I would tend to agree. Unless he has a slam dunk and his lawyer will tell him all he wants to hear as that lawyer sees dollar signs. Hes better off not fighting it and taking a50/50 or calling her and working it out. otherwise he might waste 20% to get 60% when he could have just signed and gotten 50%.
  • MFIMFI Member Posts: 7,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Talked to him again today said he got a second opinion. Another lawyer agrees she gets nothing. House was bought with inherited money and buildings were sold that were inherited. Both owned before the marriage started.
  • Spider7115Spider7115 Member Posts: 29,704 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MFI
    Talked to him again today said he got a second opinion. Another lawyer agrees she gets nothing. House was bought with inherited money and buildings were sold that were inherited. Both owned before the marriage started.

    OK, that makes a big difference. That's why I asked. Pre-marital property is exempt unless he deposited the proceeds into a joint account with her.
  • wpagewpage Member Posts: 10,201 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Cheaper to keep her...

    2n & 3rd opinions count in matters of extreme health and money!
  • footlongfootlong Member Posts: 8,009
    edited November -1
    Take her deep sea fishing..The deeper The better [^]
  • nards444nards444 Member Posts: 3,994 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
    quote:Originally posted by MFI
    Talked to him again today said he got a second opinion. Another lawyer agrees she gets nothing. House was bought with inherited money and buildings were sold that were inherited. Both owned before the marriage started.

    OK, that makes a big difference. That's why I asked. Pre-marital property is exempt unless he deposited the proceeds into a joint account with her.


    Only problem is if she has a claim of upkeeping the property with either labor/money or taking care of kids. This all can be a factor. did she pay any bills, etc etc.
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