I've been with a lady for 15 years before we recently broke up. She and I each put money down on the house. We both put our names on the deed. She has never lived in the home, or made any payments at all. Since the market is at a loss, how do I figure how much she is owed from her original money which was gifted, not loaned?

John

Her name is on the deed.. legally she's entitled to or obligated to half the losses or gains... unless there was something in writing before hand specifying percentage of ownership. Who's on the mortgage or not means nothing...

One way you could do it is figure the amount that went towards the house as a percentage of the value. The original asking price on the home. By example if the home sold for $100,000 and you both put in $10,000 (total of $20,000) then you put down 20%. So if the value plumeted and the home has a market value of $60,000 then her share would be 10% or 1/2 of the original down payment of 20%. Her share being $6,000.
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It no longer matter who put how much down when it was bought. If both names are on the deed you both own half. Not a loan so don't try to go that route, she could easily beat you up in court. She gets half of what it sells for. I think we are all assuming there is no other written agreement out there, right?