I live in the state of Maryland. My "wife" and I have have separated after 1 1/2 years. There has been a verbal agreement of rent and bill. Half of the rent, food, and gas and electric. My wife has failed to give me money, for the for-mentioned, for the past two months. She (my "wife") is vacating the resident 2 weeks into December. We have a legal agreement with the rental property until May. How do I recoupe the money I have had to pay? Is she responsible for rent breaking the lease (I am staying until May)?

I'm not sure what the laws are in Maryland. Were you legally separated when you signed the lease? Did you both sign it?

We were married when we signed the lease. We are still legally married now. Filing for legal separation will occur in 1 week. Thank you for your response.

Looking through laws to find the one that pertains to your particular case, whoever you are can be daunting. It is for me anyway. I'd bet that there is someone out there who knows the answer to your question. Ask in another category.

My feeling is that even if it is within your rights to collect rent from her, doing so could be more trouble than it's worth. Could you sub-let the apartment? Have a friend live with you and share the rent until May? If you look at the lost money in terms of 15 years down the road when this is all memory, how much does it matter?

Might also be a useless exercise on paper to try to collect the rent from her since all of your assets are probably joint property as long as you're legally married. I don't think verbal agreements will be worth any more than your marriage vows, do you?

Hello R:

Nahhh, you can't sue your wife - cause HER money is YOUR money.

excon