Ohio couple splits before marriage, court awards woman $41,466 from house sale

The woman filed an agreement claiming a share of the house-sale money. A man in Ohio who refused to share money from the sale of his house with his former partner has lost a court battle over an agreement they signed when they were planning to get married. James R Cline argued that his former partner, Ashley A Lokash, had not spent enough money on improving the house to claim a share of the sale proceeds. However, on October 26, an Ohio appeals court ruled in Lokash's favour, allowing her to receive $41,466.50 from the sale.The dispute began with a house the couple bought in Niles, Ohio, in 2021, according to Mortgage Professional America (MPA). At the time, they planned a future together and decided to invest in the property. Although the house was registered only in Cline's name, Lokash agreed to contribute money towards renovations and other improvements. They financed the purchase through a loan guaranteed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.In September 2021, they signed a written agreement explaining how their money would be handled. Lokash could spend up to $40,000 on improving the property. If the house was later sold, she would first receive reimbursement for her spen...