Question:
I am married, my husband is filing for divorce. I was told today. His mother bought a laptop for me when a few months ago because mine crashed and I am in school. When my mother in law found out my laptop had crashed, she offered to my husband to buy one for me. I did not ask for it, but was grateful and we made an agreement that I would pay her back when I get my school money in January. Now they want it back. today. Do they have a right to it? do I have to give it back? I do still plan to pay her back in January
Answer:
It’s January, football playoffs, we’re a little behind on answers… If it’s already settled, good for you. If not, gifts that are taken back usually end up on the Judge Judy show. Usually something given as a gift can not be taken back, but your husband may say it was community property or even his, then it would be tied up in property distribution during the divorce settlement. If you made any payments on it then it shows a contract and it would be in your favor, if not then it’s a “he said-she said” situation. Divorce could be stressful enough, do you really want this dispute on top of a divorce? Laptops are inexpensive nowadays, with payment plans, go buy your own and avoid a showdown with your mother-in-law and ex. Unless you want to appear on an episode of Judge Judy…
