Started By
Message

Divorce and Community Property/Housing

Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:03 am
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12605 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:03 am
I have a friend who is divorced. The divorce was finalized almost a year ago. However, community property has not been settled/finalized.

The wife moved from the main house into a guesthouse on the property. She does not work (and will not work) and has no source of income besides spousal support (which will be ending soon) and child support payments.

The house is under water and in need of repair. Obviously my friend doesn't want to sink money into it before the property is settled, though it's almost assuredly going to be his responsibility when it's all said and done. He'll be stuck with a house that isn't worth what he owes on it and needs a shite load of money to get it into shape.

My question: what can be done legally to force the issue of her moving out? Both lawyers are dragging their feet BIG time and don't seem to be in any hurry to get this all finalized. She won't have a viable place to live except with her parents in their shithole of a house. Complicating matters even worse is the fact that his son will be forced out as well and will have to live in completely shitty conditions. My friend works 14/14 offshore and thinks he would have no shot at getting custody.

Anyone have any advice on how to legally handle this situation?

'My friend' is not me. See my sig.
Posted by The Mick
Member since Oct 2010
43077 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:03 am to
Sorry about your divorce and for your wife having taken the BBC regular-like.
Posted by boosiebadazz
Member since Feb 2008
80182 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:04 am to
quote:

what can be done legally to force the issue of her moving out? Both lawyers


He should prolly go see his lawyer.
Posted by bradwieser
Cornell Fan
Member since May 2008
10555 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:04 am to
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12605 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:05 am to
quote:

'My friend' is not me. See my sig.



quote:

Sorry about your divorce and for your wife having taken the BBC regular-like.




Thanks for the input Mick. It's highly valuable advice and is much appreciated.
Posted by The Sad Banana
The gate is narrow.
Member since Jul 2008
89498 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:05 am to
quote:

Sorry about your divorce and for your wife having taken the BBC regular-like.

Like clockwork.
Posted by 777Tiger
Member since Mar 2011
73856 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:05 am to
quote:

Both lawyers are dragging their feet BIG time

No way. Lawyers would never drag their feet simply to maximize billable hours!
Posted by stbpike24
Slidell
Member since Jul 2011
361 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:06 am to
Not a lawyer but just went through this with my wife and her ex. The only way to get her removed is to get her to sign a quit claim deed releasing all rights to the property (that is outside of a property settlement). If her name is on the mortgage, there is nothing he can do besides that.
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12605 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:06 am to
quote:

He should prolly go see his lawyer


The biggest issue is his lawyer is NOT communicating with him well. Like I mentioned he works 14/14 offshore. He tries to stay in contact when he's offshore and can never get in touch. Nothing seems to be happening.
Posted by The Mick
Member since Oct 2010
43077 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:07 am to
quote:

Thanks for the input Mick. It's highly valuable advice and is much appreciated.
The BBC comment had to happen, you know that.
Posted by The Mick
Member since Oct 2010
43077 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:08 am to
PS - there is not going to be any way of forcing her out of the house in this situation. No way (its still hers right now).

And you're correct about the custody imo, it will be joint custody unless she's unstable. Unemployed is not considered unstable, the mom has to almost be a serial killer to have custody removed.
This post was edited on 5/14/14 at 9:10 am
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12605 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:09 am to
Is have been disappointed in the OT had it not happened. That it was the first comment met my expectations. Thanks for that. Now it's out of the way.
Posted by boosiebadazz
Member since Feb 2008
80182 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:11 am to
I hate to be a snitch, but there are avenues for him to address that, too.
Posted by 777Tiger
Member since Mar 2011
73856 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:14 am to
quote:

The divorce was finalized

apparently it is not
Posted by lnomm34
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
12605 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:15 am to
My best friend who is an attorney said he should threaten to file a complaint (whatever the process is called for that, I don't remember).

It's insane that lawyers are such terrible communicators. They seem only to address the 'squeaky wheel.' And my friend is not one to be real aggressive. If it was me, I would be at the lawyers office every day I was in from offshore demanding something get done.
Posted by boddagetta
Moulton
Member since Mar 2011
9999 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:16 am to
quote:







This is the correct answer.
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
77947 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:17 am to
quote:

Both lawyers are dragging their feet BIG time and don't seem to be in any hurry to get this all finalized


you do understand how lawyers get paid right? they like having subscription income like netflix. divorce goes too quickly (before the client's funds are exhausted) and they lose out.

quote:

She does not work (and will not work) and has no source of income besides spousal support (which will be ending soon) and child support payments.


this is good for your friend, right? alimony ending will help his financial situation.

quote:

The house is under water and in need of repair. Obviously my friend doesn't want to sink money into it before the property is settled, though it's almost assuredly going to be his responsibility when it's all said and done


i thought you meant literally for a second and i was going to ask if her bed was a boat.

i know in TN, any property you have not 'improved upon' as a couple..for instance land inherited from your parents..is not split by divorce...100% of it remains with the owner so don't ever ask your wife to help clean the barn out on land your family owns.

however since the divorce was finalized already, why in the world is she still hanging around his house? what does the paperwork say about the guesthouse?

quote:

Complicating matters even worse is the fact that his son will be forced out as well and will have to live in completely shitty conditions. My friend works 14/14 offshore and thinks he would have no shot at getting custody.



who has custody now?

my advice is to have him sell the property if possible and find a new place to live without her having any type of claim to it.

how did she end up staying on his property in the first place?
This post was edited on 5/14/14 at 9:19 am
Posted by Boudreaux35
BR
Member since Sep 2007
21420 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:21 am to
I have to assume that primary custody was given to the ex-wife? That's interesting in that she apparently cannot show ability to provide housing for the child.

Shitty lawyers. They know they can keep milking fees as long as everything is not settled. I'd fire mine if he/she did that.
Posted by FalseProphet
Mecca
Member since Dec 2011
11706 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:23 am to
(no message)
This post was edited on 5/14/14 at 9:29 am
Posted by Boudreaux35
BR
Member since Sep 2007
21420 posts
Posted on 5/14/14 at 9:29 am to
quote:

Se people think lawyers can just snap their fingers and the entire legal system jumps to make it happen.


I'm sure there is more to it than just dragging out on purpose, but there is probably no good reason that this proerty settlement hasn't been finalized in a year.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 3Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram