I need an expert for this one. I have a lawyer and am meeting him on Thursday but would like some powerful feedback from anybody brilliant out there, please.
I bought our house and the the down payment on his workshop - a commercial building, with the inheritance I received after my mother's death. All my money. The agreement was: He would pay the mortgage, taken on the house to pay for the building, and pay the taxes. I paid for everything else. I made the mistake - out of love and generosity, but a mistake, nonetheless, of putting his name on the title to both properties. I know, I know - what an idiot. He asked to get a line of credit on the house, "for emergencies", and it turns out he used the whole thing, AND forged my name to checks he cashed from it. He never made a dime working, but had an income between 2-5 thousand dollars a month, none of which I ever saw. From what I can tell, he paid the mortgage and the taxes out of the line of credit and when it was completely used up, he left. He owns a building in another town with his family members, and it's for sale. I think a sale is pending and he should clear about a million dollars. I paid for all household expenses from a separate income.
My question is: I live in a community property state. How can I make the best case to win back as much of my investment as possible? What evidence do I need besides the incriminating (and, I hope useful) checks written on the line of credit?
He is asking for half the "marital assets" and spousal support. (I am controlling my outrage, feelings of betrayal and self-loathing in the interest of maintaining a clear head.)
Any input will be much appreciated.
I bought our house and the the down payment on his workshop - a commercial building, with the inheritance I received after my mother's death. All my money. The agreement was: He would pay the mortgage, taken on the house to pay for the building, and pay the taxes. I paid for everything else. I made the mistake - out of love and generosity, but a mistake, nonetheless, of putting his name on the title to both properties. I know, I know - what an idiot. He asked to get a line of credit on the house, "for emergencies", and it turns out he used the whole thing, AND forged my name to checks he cashed from it. He never made a dime working, but had an income between 2-5 thousand dollars a month, none of which I ever saw. From what I can tell, he paid the mortgage and the taxes out of the line of credit and when it was completely used up, he left. He owns a building in another town with his family members, and it's for sale. I think a sale is pending and he should clear about a million dollars. I paid for all household expenses from a separate income.
My question is: I live in a community property state. How can I make the best case to win back as much of my investment as possible? What evidence do I need besides the incriminating (and, I hope useful) checks written on the line of credit?
He is asking for half the "marital assets" and spousal support. (I am controlling my outrage, feelings of betrayal and self-loathing in the interest of maintaining a clear head.)
Any input will be much appreciated.
