Can someone else lay claim to a structure they partially financed to put on my property?
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Can someone else lay claim to a structure they partially financed to put on my property?
A girlfriend who is living me at the time had put
a pole barn on my property, and she has since
left. She is asking for compensation, does she
have any legal claim to the structure?
Asked on September 10, 2019 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
It depends upon whether at the time she provided the financing, there was any agreement between the two of you that in exchange for the money, she'd get any compensation, reimbursement (e.g. the money was a loan), part of the value of the barn, etc. If there was an agreement, she can enforce it against you in court if necessary, such as with a lawsuit for the money you owe her. But if there was no agreement, she has no claim to the structure or for compensation: if someone voluntarily chooses to buy or pay for something for someone else (like putting a barn on your property), their voluntary choice to do so without an agreement for repayment, etc. does not entitle them to anything.
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