proceeds of a property

[peterm165]

Just heard today of a couple that are splitting up,but the husband will get all the money off the property as the title deeds are in his name.Least i think they are married,but cant the other half claim anything.Think they have been together bout 4 years,does not seem right that the other half does not get anything.

[peterm165]

No one any ideas,wonder if the common law wife thing applies here in Spain.

Not quite sure what you mean by the 'common law wife thing'. I'm afraid there is no such status in law - the phrase was devised to give some respectability to what was once described as shacking up or living in sin. The only protection in law is achieved through marriage (or as soon will be through a civil ceremony for same sex couples). This will give all the advantages of being married but also the penalties if the relationship fails. I've never quite understood the statement from people who say 'It's only a piece of paper and not important'. If that's the case, why not demonstrate commitment and do it. There are a lot of very trusting ladies out there who one day are going to be realsie exactly what rights they have (or don't!).

[peterm165]

I was just trying to find out,how the law works in Spain.I belive in the UK if you live with-some for a long time then you have certain rights to the property if you split up.Maybe i am wrong on this account.

[peterm165]

Well thats something to think about.Seems like the best way to go about it,is to draw a contract up at the beginning,and not too assume that you will get anything if its just a live in realationship.

[Steve]

The Spanish Law does not recognise common-law wives irrelevant of whether the couple have been together two weeks or twenty years.

[Aylyn]

I am amazed it has taken Women so long to realise that the 'living with route' is the male of the species having a laugh at their expense. I can remember the double tax reliefs on house purchases at the time and did envy those who took advantage over it but it ultimately ended up with the 'wife' being taken advantage off. I regard women as nearly always the smarter of any relationship, mine included, and could never understand how they fell for such a line as 'it's only a bit of paper'. It was in fact a legal proof of a commitment to one and other and always will be.