Do I have to get rid of my dog?

[Blusky89]

What is the name of your state? Maine


So my ex girlfriend is currently still living in my house. She’s been refusing to leave unless I pay her money since she has nothing. She’s been a stay at home mom (the kid isn’t mine) for the past 9 years and I’ve been paying all her expenses. So she doesn’t have any recent work experience and doesn’t have any education.

When we decided to end things she was as going to leave, but she expected me to help her get started and pay for a place to get her started. I don’t want to because it was her choice not to be working this whole time and not have any money saved up. So I’m trying to get them out through official channels. As I understand it she is considered my tenant even though we don’t have a lease. So I gave her written 30 days notice to leave about two weeks ago. She has insinuated that it’s not going to be that easy. I’m not exactly in any rush though so if I need to go through the eviction process I will.

Unrelated to this I got a dog. I had always wanted one, but was never allowed to have one because my ex didn’t like dogs. Truly I did not get the dog to spite her. I just wanted a dog and I had a chance to get an expensive breed that I wanted. However as it turns out my ex didn’t just not like dogs she is also allergic as is her kid. She’s saying I have to get rid of the dog and that I’m making things hostile by keeping it. Is there a legal requirement here to get rid of the dog?

 

[Zigner]

It was stupid to add a dog to the mix. I would suggest you find a way to, at the very least, have the dog fostered elsewhere until this matter is resolved.
Beyond that, you should probably speak to an attorney to assist you in evicting this lady and her child.

 

[adjusterjack]

She’s saying I have to get rid of the dog and that I’m making things hostile by keeping it. Is there a legal requirement here to get rid of the dog?

I agree with Zigner about getting the dog to live someplace else until your living arrangement is resolved.

I'm also going to give you some advice that you aren't going to like.

Pay her to leave. She's obviously become a vindictive b---h. All she has to do get a protective order against you and the cops will put YOU out of YOUR house. She'll tell a story about how you put her in fear for her safety and the judge will allow the order to remain while she gets to live in your house with impunity while you spend thousands on attorney fees and another place to live.

If you decide to pay her, make sure everything she owns is packed up in a vehicle and get her signature on a document before you hand over the money. And have all your door locks rekeyed or replaced immediately.

 

[FarmerJ]

if you had not done so rent a post office box and have all your personal mail diverted to it by post office and store your bank cards , SSN card and any other information that could be stolen from you to be used by another to commit indentity theft / financial fraud in your name. As far as dog doo goes I agree you should temporarily find a place for the dog to stay and be prepared to use the courts to make her leave. As long as yopu have a copy of the notice to vacate and the notice meets your states laws when it comes time to file your filing will be based on your giving the tenant proper notice to vacate and the tenant refuses to vacate., It may be best to pay the fee to have your county sheriffs dept serve the summons since she would not be able to challenge the actual service of the summons and succeed .

 

[FarmerJ]

Additional yes what ADJ described really could happen re you being forced to leave your residence So in the end drama and frustration VS peace of mind make make paying her to get out your best choice ( You do not want your name on any rental agreement with her even if its month to month .

 

[zddoodah]

I don’t want to because it was her choice not to be working this whole time and not have any money saved up.

None of this is really relevant from a legal perspective, but, while this is true, it was your choice to give her the means not to work or save up money (in other words, you chose to support her fully).

Is there a legal requirement here to get rid of the dog?

No, but, as her landlord, introducing something that could cause allergic reactions could complicate the eviction process.

I strongly suggest you consult with a local attorney so that you ensure everything is done correctly. It will be well worth the money.

Pay her to leave.

I agree, but I think the parade of horribles that followed this statement is a bit of an exaggeration (albeit certainly a possibility).

 

[adjusterjack]

I agree, but I think the parade of horribles that followed this statement is a bit of an exaggeration (albeit certainly a possibility).

It's no exaggeration. My long-ago ex-wife pulled that dodge on me. Cop gave me 15 minutes to pack a bag and leave. At the hearing 5 days later the judge let the order run for a year.

And you've read what's happening to nikyo down the street.

 

[bcr229]

if you had not done so rent a post office box and have all your personal mail diverted to it by post office and store your bank cards , SSN card and any other information that could be stolen from you to be used by another to commit indentity theft / financial fraud in your name.

After nine years the gf could have already gotten the OP's personally identifiable information. I would suggest that he also lock his credit.

Freeze credit reports at all four bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, Experian, and Innovis).
https://www.equifax.com/
https://www.experian.com/
https://innovis.com/
https://www.transunion.com/

Chex Systems is used by banks when opening new accounts to look for people who have a history of overdrafts. You can add a security freeze to your identity so no one else can open bank accounts in your name.
https://www.chexsystems.com/

Add a fraud alert to your National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange (NCTUE) data file. Phone companies and utilities use the NCTUE when opening new service accounts.
https://nctue.com/consumers/

Other reporting agencies where you should freeze your personal data: SafeRent, Core Logic TeleTrack, and LexisNexis
https://saferentsolutions.com/fraud-prevention/
https://teletrackfreeze.corelogic.com/
https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/freeze

Create your account on the Social Security web site so no one can beat you to that:
https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/

THESE ARE ALL FREE. There is no need to pay a service.