I have been involved with a man for 5 years. Living together for 3. He moved into my appartment and then a house was purchased about a year ago. He has been through a couple of really nasty divorces so he was very careful to make sure that the mortgage and title for the house are in his name only. I didn't have a problem with this since it was going to be our home and I didn't feel strongly that my name had to be on anything.
We are not planning to split up. Actually pretty happy with life together. But he refuses to get married again.
I am concerned that If anything happens to him, his ex-wife will cause problems. (he has a 9 year old daughter with the ex-wife but has not seen her for several years -- long story)
He will not sign any community property agreements or anything else that will give me any kind of "ownership" of anything. He is not willing to sell (or even rent out) this house and purchase one together.
This came up because of health concerns and discussions about having his will re-done. (since it gives 80% to a friend and the remainder to his daughter).
What rights do I have? He pays the mortgage, car payment, and private schooling for his daughter. I pay electric, gas, garbage, groceries, cable, phone, internet, etc.
What rights do I have when he dies? What can I do to protect myself?
Also, do I have any rights with him living? When we disagree on anything the final decision is made by him because "This is my house and we are going to do it this way." Another favorite is when we argue he will tell me that either I drop it or get out of his house.
A bit more info: He has a large salary ($6000/month+) and is able to set aside money in his retirement accounts, make expensive purchases, etc. I have a small salary ($20,000/year) with no savings or retirement of any kind.
We are not planning to split up. Actually pretty happy with life together. But he refuses to get married again.
I am concerned that If anything happens to him, his ex-wife will cause problems. (he has a 9 year old daughter with the ex-wife but has not seen her for several years -- long story)
He will not sign any community property agreements or anything else that will give me any kind of "ownership" of anything. He is not willing to sell (or even rent out) this house and purchase one together.
This came up because of health concerns and discussions about having his will re-done. (since it gives 80% to a friend and the remainder to his daughter).
What rights do I have? He pays the mortgage, car payment, and private schooling for his daughter. I pay electric, gas, garbage, groceries, cable, phone, internet, etc.
What rights do I have when he dies? What can I do to protect myself?
Also, do I have any rights with him living? When we disagree on anything the final decision is made by him because "This is my house and we are going to do it this way." Another favorite is when we argue he will tell me that either I drop it or get out of his house.
A bit more info: He has a large salary ($6000/month+) and is able to set aside money in his retirement accounts, make expensive purchases, etc. I have a small salary ($20,000/year) with no savings or retirement of any kind.
