unmarried couple buying home

[rt51x]

What is the name of your state? Louisiana

My girlfriend bought a house. She put a down payment equal to 1/2 cost of the house (almost 1/2 about 4,000 shy of 1/2). She has had the house a little over a year. The house is in her name and I am planning on paying off the other 1/2 with cash, no mortgage. She said that I could go to the title company have put in my name and then pay the house off. I have been searching a little on the internet about this but would like to post a few questions. I have asked a few friends who are lawyers that told to get one.
My questions are:

Do I need a lawyer?

In the event we break up what are our options with or with out a lawyer?

Any comments and/or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advanceWhat is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

[JETX]

Originally Posted by rt51x

Do I need a lawyer?

In the event we break up what are our options with or with out a lawyer?

You will wish you HAD a lawyer.

[rt51x]

I meant to say that I talked to friends who were NOT lawyers.

[temple]

Pleeeeease don't do it!

[FarmerJ]

If your seriously going to do this then first before even agreeing go see a Attorney privately (alone ) what you need to discuss is ways to word ownership agreements so that in the event the 2 of you split up it will spell out what you want should you break up Including one person buying the other out as well as what will happen to the property and each persons legal interest should one of you die or become incapacitated. Dont say `no it is not needed` or `we can work it out later ` or let the GF tell you that, its Bovine Excrement. With good planing and care used with the services of a atty you can prevent the kinds of headaches you can read that other posters have experianced. IF you see a atty who doesnt know what to do then go find a atty who has done domestic partnership and real estate agreements for gay couples. The atty will know how to do them well enough that the agreements would survive legal challanges later on.

[rt51x]

Thank you for the response! I will do that.

Thanks again!

[LindaP777]

Don't buy real estate with someone you are not married to. Just search "partition lawsuit" on this website to see what happens when two people break up and own real estate. If you were married and get a divorce, the house would be part of the judges decision.