How Women Should Legally Protect Themselves in a Relationship
This article was written for either married women or unmarried women. Love tends to make everyone blind at one time or another. We are blind by things because we are so wrapped up in the romance relationship.
We often don’t think about the legal issues regarding romantic relationships. It happens too many times within ourself and others. You often hear about the romance couple that had been in a relationship for years. One day the worse happens. You didn’t expect it to happen, but one of them decides that they no longer want to be in that relationship.
The next thing you know everything that was once considered “our” stuff is all of a sudden gone. The person basically has cleared out the bank accounts leaving you dry with big zero amount of no money left whatsoever. They have moved stuff into a different place.
Basically, your life has been turned upside down since your partner walked out the door leaving you with nothing. You wonder what you are going to do. You feel sad. You feel mad. You feel hurt.
Who is to blame? Nobody else except for yourself. Why? Because you didn’t be prepared by covering yourself legally. You set yourself up for it. I know that might sound harsh. It is the truth.
Have your own bank account. Open a bank account with just your name on it. It is a very good idea. Put enough money in there that you will need just in case you ever need it. Also have at least three months worth of living expenses.
Never co-sign on anything with your partner. I know this may sound whacked up, but it isn’t though. If someone can’t get a loan without a co-signer it is because the creditor has doubts as to whether the person will pay back the money. Be cautious of people with extremely bad credit. Sometimes they will leave you with a bunch of bills to pay if you co-sign on any loans.
If your partner doesn’t care about his credit then don’t think he will care about yours. Obviously if someone doesn’t care about having good credit then they won’t care about yours. Just remember there is exceptions to this case by case basis though, sometimes people have bad credit due to other reasons such as filing bankruptcy cause of having a business or perhaps someone screwed them over money wise.
Keep your car title in your own name. Once you get your car paid off make sure to keep the title in your own name. Don’t be foolish enough to put your partner on there as a half owner of your car. Put your car title in a bank safety deposit somewhere that he can’t get access to it. If things ever get terrible between you and your partner then for sure e you want to be able to legally keep your car.
Never co-sign on a house. Sure, I know this sounds like a catch 22 in a way. Think about this in two different points of view. If you co-sign on a house then if the relationship goes bad then you end up fighting over this house. In the end you will probably end up having to pay the payments on the house that you probably can’t even afford on just your income. Legally you still have a place to live at.
The main reason as to why you shouldn’t co-sign is if the relationship ends then you won’t be stuck with the house payment. The disadvantage is that the person can kick you out of their house at anytime and there is nothing legally you can do about it.
Your Income. Don’t rack up a huge bunch of bills. Make sure you can pay just all your personal bills with your income only. If your partner tries to talk you into buying something expensive because you both work then don’t it. Don’t fall for that trap.
It causes allot less heartache and money issues if you are prepared for the worse. It is always smart to protect yourself legally despite how much someone claims to love you.
