Break-up Decisions
Apr 20, 2007 - Case #000001
Lisa vs. Mark
Lisa's Testimony
I had been living with my ex-boyfriend for six years. Recently we broke up because he had an affair with my friend. The night I found out, I moved back with my parents and he’s still living at our apartment.
As you might imagine, I don’t have any interest in talking to him anymore. However, it’s important that I get my belongings back. Right now he has everything at our place and I’m not sure what he intends on keeping or if he intends on staying.
I would like my stuff back, including my dog, and preferably I would like to continue living at our place, because it was his stupidity that screwed everything up. Thanks.
Mark's Testimony
Yeah, I agree it was a stupid thing to do but it’s done and over with for me. There’s no way I’m moving out, I’m living here with my new girlfriend and it’s close to her work. It was my place to begin with anyway. There are quite a few things that I want to keep too. I don’t think it was entirely my fault that we broke-up, Lisa was always buying things we didn’t need and always getting on me for stuff.
Lisa's answer
My ten most important things are:
Our dog
Our CD collection
laptop
fishtank
couch
kitchen table and chairs
photo albums
digital pictures and the my documents folder
clothes
transit pass
Mediator question to Mark
From your perspective, what are the ten most important items you purchased as a couple that you want to keep for yourself?
Mark's answer
Mediator question to Lisa
What does Mark do for a living?
Lisa's answer
He’s a DJ.
Case Decision
First of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to review your case. Break-ups are never easy. I hope both of you find someone who treats you well.
I have taken time to look at both sides of this case and I think that Mark, you owe Lisa a sincere apology for treating her so poorly. To say the least, it wasn’t very nice of you to cheat on her and cause such discomfort and inconvenience. My decision is as follows:
In regards to the apartment, Mark is entitled to stay because it’s his name on the lease agreement.
When it comes to your most important shared belongings, they should be divided as follows:
To Lisa:
The dog
Fishtank
Couch
Kitchen table and chairs
Photo albums
Digital pictures and the my documents folder
Clothes
Transit pass
To Mark:
Laptop
CD collection
Coffee maker
Telescope
BBQ
Xbox and games
TV
DVDs
Mark, please assemble Lisa’s belongings, burn a CD of the digital property she has requested and kindly drop it off with her at her convenience within the next ten days. Please also refund her half the cost of this case in cash ($12.50).
I trust that both of you will have the presence of mind to fairly distribute the remainder of your belongings responsibly.
Thank you for using peacedeals.org.
Neil Gilbert
Mediator question to Lisa
From your perspective, what are the ten most important items you purchased as a couple that you want to keep for yourself?