Ownership costs during separation

[InDenial]

STBX has moved out and started paying child support. The amount comes right from the table for my state. No spousal maintenance is being paid.

We have agreed that I will keep the house and pay him half of the value. (I am blessed to have a good job and plenty of money saved.) I assume transfer of the deed to me and money to him will take place when the divorce is final. Things are going slow, so that could be some months in the future.

We are extremely fortunate that the mortgage is paid off, so there are currently no monthly mortgage payments.

However, the property tax bill came. A tree fell in a storm and needs to be removed. The lawn needs to be mowed. Etc. There are some costs of ownership that would continue to accrue even if the house sat empty.

It's clear that after the divorce is final, these kinds of costs will be solely mine. What about now?  Does STBX have the responsibility to pay a share of ownership costs as long as he remains part owner?

[Wolfy]

I would think you are both responsible for the upkeep or lack of upkeep on the house until the title is put in your name.

[Lee Borden]

My guess is that you will end up paying these costs one way or the other. To try to squeeze them out of someone who has given up his interest in the house seems futile.

[m_t]

You're likely going to have to pay it yourself, unless a court orders otherwise. Your best bet might be to use those expenses as leverage to get either a higher share of the equity (so you'd pay him less of the house's value) or to get a greater share of other assets.