We're not married, but we own the house together and we're splitting up. What happens?
The deed controls, not the relationship. Minnesota doesn't recognize common-law marriage, so there's no divorce court dividing things — you're co-owners, like business partners. That cuts both ways: simpler in some respects, fewer protections in others.
Three paths, same as any co-owners. Sell and split. One buys the other out. Or keep co-owning, which rarely survives a breakup. How the proceeds divide depends on how you hold title and what you can document — down payments, mortgage payments, improvements. If you can't agree, either owner can ask a court to force a sale through a partition action. Most people settle long before that. An attorney should review your title and any written agreement; I'm not a lawyer, and this isn't legal advice.
If a current number for the house would help the conversation, I'll run it quietly. Just call.
I wrote this answer, and I stand behind it. I'm Chris Deutsch, a Minneapolis Realtor (MN #20382264). Twenty-five years of walking these neighborhoods, checking basements, and sitting across kitchen tables from people making exactly this call. I re-check every answer and date it — this one was last verified .
If your situation is more specific than the market, that's the one worth talking through. Email me at chris@lakesarearealty.com.