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A couple not married, living together for about twenty years. I am the owner of the house left by my late husband. What will be his rights in case of separation?

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Common law marriage was abolished in every state more than 20 years ago.

He he has no right ....but, he might sue for the value of his contribution if it exceeded the value of rent. Say he put a new roof on the house, or paid for an expansion.

but, there is still the issue of what is right. If he was a contributing member of the household morally she should give him a fair share of the increased value of the property over that time.
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I think you need to see a lawyer. Some offer a free first consultation.
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You have taught me a good lesson about this law,I appreciated your kindness.Thank you, Natasha
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Natasha
Is your friends house in Florida?

Here is a link that lists the states that do recognize Common Law marriage. Florida isn’t on it.

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/living-together-book/chapter2-4.html
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Problem here is if boyfriend ever paid towards a Mortgage. If so, he maybe able to use this against her. But people living together don't have the same rights as a married couple. Hopefully their separation will go easy.
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worriedinCali Apr 2019
The house was left to Natasha by her late husband so I highly doubt the new man paid mortgage payments. And it all comes down to who’s name was on the mortgage and title to the house. If his name isn’t there, legally it makes no difference if he ever paid toward the mortgage.
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If your friend and her BF live in a state where there is no common law marriage and his name is not on the house then he has no right to the house; however, he could have rights to the assests in the house. In my state where there is no common law marriage, but there is what is call "community property" after one year of living together. Example, my BF and I live together and he has no rights to my house, but he can take anything he wants out of the house and there is not much I can do about it; unless I can prove that I paid for that asset. So, your friend might want to check into that.
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Thank you all for your magnificence answers.
Love, NATASHA
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