If my girlfriend moves into my house and helps pay the bills, can she sue me for equity if we split?

I bought a house two years ago. Now my g friend will be moving in with me. She plans to contribute towards expenses, maybe about a quarter of the mortgage and utilities. What does this entitle her to? Things are great now, but we have known each other less than a year so I am nervous.If my girlfriend moves into my house and helps pay the bills, can she sue me for equity if we split?
She is not entitled to any equity at all.





Just don't put her on the title!If my girlfriend moves into my house and helps pay the bills, can she sue me for equity if we split?
Talk with a lawyer. Really.





What you are worried about is 'when the girlfriend turn into a common law wife'.





I would make sure that you have seperate checking/savings accounts. Always pay the bills using YOUR checks, etc.
I don't think she can sue you, but if you're nervous about doing this, maybe you should re-think if you are ready for her to move in with you.





If you still decide to go forward, you will probably want to get your agreement in writing to protect yourself in case you do split up.
In general, there would be no equity for her, what I would do is print off some lease/rental agreement off the internet. I'm sure there are some state regulations but those can be found online as well.





Most states however would not grant her ';equitable share'; unless your state is one that still recognizes ';common-law'; marriages. If that is the case and you remain living together for the required amount of time, yes she would be entitled to what your state would allow. That goes a little bit deeper than what you had originally asked, but just wanted to try and help you look at the big picture.





I found one site that offers a generic lease agreement for free


http://www.nupplegal.com/free-lease-agreement.html
If you live in California she has a good chance of doing so.





Use the other advice and draw up a rental agreement.
Sorry not to answer, but that would be a quick question posed to a local attorney.





Good luck.
Draw up a rental agreement and have her pay you ';rent'; instead.
It would not be mortgage she would be paying, but rent. She has no legal recourse because she is not on the deed.