What If My Ex Refuses to Sell Our House?

Few things are more frustrating than being financially connected to someone who simply says:

“No. I'm not selling.”

But before assuming the only answer is a courtroom battle, figure out what “no” actually means.

Sometimes it is a price disagreement

Sometimes it means:

“I don't think the price is high enough.”

That is a market disagreement.

Lisa may be able to help.

Sometimes it is a desire to keep the house

Sometimes it means:

“I want to keep the house.”

That may be a buyout and financing question.

Sometimes it is an absolute refusal

Sometimes it means:

“I will never cooperate with anything you want.”

That may be a legal problem.

Those are three completely different situations.

What to do for each

If price is the issue, get a professional market analysis.

If keeping the house is the issue, determine whether a buyout is financially realistic.

If the refusal is absolute and the owners cannot resolve the dispute, speak with a Nevada attorney about whatever legal remedies may apply to the circumstances.

While the disagreement continues, protect the asset

While the disagreement continues, protect the asset.

• Do not let insurance lapse.
• Do not intentionally stop maintaining the pool.
• Do not ignore a roof leak.
• Do not damage the house.
• Do not remove things from the property simply because you're angry.

If the house eventually sells, every preventable dollar of lost value affects the property.

Lisa's useful step before anyone escalates

Lisa can provide something very useful before anyone escalates:

Maybe the answer creates a compromise.

Maybe it doesn't.

But the legal conversation is much more productive when everyone knows the value of the asset they're fighting over.