Law for Irish Men in Property Area

LegacyUser

Dear All,

I'm looking for some information on legalities of buying property with my partner. We recently got engaged and she moved into the place I've been renting for the past 6 years. We're living together now a few months and we're happy enough although we have had many blazing arguments.

Essentially what I'm trying to do is protect my assets. I’ve had to work EXTREMELY hard to build up what little savings I have and I don’t want to just hand them away if things go wrong. Apparently men have very little rights when it comes to family law in Ireland and I want to protect myself. I love my partner dearly but her parents have always given her everything she wants, she’s never had to struggle in life.

I have.

A friend of mine (I’m in my late 20’s he’s in his late 30’s) said to be very careful when going into purchasing property. His advice was that he had invested 50k deposit in a house and made the first few years mortgage payments as his fiancé was struggling at the time. They were happy but after a few years things went sour and they split. Despite having no children, she took him to court and there was a legal battle – She got the house and he was left renting a flat on his own after all his effort.. He’d lost €110k and been set back 10 years.

I do not want to fall into this trap as I’ve seen it happen to my brother too.

My friend said that even if you move your fiancé into a property you own, regardless of whether or not she’s paying rent or mortgage payments, she can take ownership of the property as women have more rights in this area? Is this true? If so it’s COMPLETELY SEXIST AND UNFAIR towards all hardworking men like myself!

He said if I am to purchase with her, to go in as ‘Tenants In Common’ and that will protect me from being made a fool of and losing my hard earned savings?

If someone in the legal or property sector could clarify this it’d be great because at the moment I’m wondering what’s the point of falling in love if you have to worry about things like this..

Thank you,

Unregistered.

Zaph

This isn't really a relationship issue. I suggest you try the Accommodation & Property forum or, better still, speak to a solicitor. Such a big commitment when you're unsure of your legal position shouldn't be left to the advice of strangers on an internet forum.