My husband and I married nearly 10 years ago. Soon after we got married we purchased a home together which was registered in both our names. Shortly before we moved in my husband decided to renovate it so it would be more suited to our needs – using money he had inherited. We are now negotiating for divorce and my husband is adamant that he deserves to get back the equivalent value today of what he invested in renovating the flat as it came from his pocket. Would his claim be accepted by a court ?
By: דיאנה שאלתיאל•Published on: 10 May, 2022No ! If one spouse invested more than the other in the purchase of an apartment registered in their joint name ,or paid for renovations, then the general rule is that the party cannot get back the equivalent value of his/her investment when the partnership in the property ends . There are exceptions to this general rule. For example, if there is a property relations agreement made beforehand or afterwards by the parties which expressly states this, then it is possible. Another possibility exists – if a condition was made in the land registry regarding this, or if the spouses’ rights were registered in proportion to their investment in the first place.