Jean Brown Featured in Moneywise: Protecting Your Rights in Cohabitation Breakups
When unmarried couples split up, dividing personal belongings can quickly turn complicated—especially without the formal framework of divorce law.
In a recent article published by Moneywise, Jean Brown of Jean Brown Law shared her insights on legal ownership and dividing shared property after a breakup.
Addressing the scenario where one partner pays the mortgage while the other purchases the home’s furnishings, Brown clarified that living under the same roof does not strip a buyer of their property rights:
“Ownership usually follows who bought the item, and the fact that her partner owns the house and pays the mortgage doesn’t make the furniture his. Living together doesn’t turn a purchase into a gift.”
Brown emphasized the importance of keeping clear records, suggesting partners maintain receipts, document communications, and create written cohabitation agreements before moving in to prevent costly disputes later on.
