Woman sues ex-fiancé for shared ownership rights of home

GRETNA – A woman is suing her ex-fiancé over the rights to their shared home claiming that although he is named as its sole owner they purchased it and made improvements on it together.

Penny W. Williams filed suit against Eddie Moses in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 10.

Williams asserts that she and Moses entered into a romantic relationship in December 2009 and became engaged. The plaintiff claims that after the two entered into a relationship they began searching for a family home in anticipation of being married and eventually settled on a home located at 2409 Rue Saint Honore in Gretna.

Williams alleges that financing was only available on the home if her name was not attached to the purchase. The plaintiff claims that Moses entered into an oral contract with her promising to complete an act of donation of half of the property to her after the loan closed, but never completed the donation.

Williams also alleges that pursuant to the belief that the home would be half owned by her she provided an $18,974 down payment on the home on Oct. 22, 2013 and subsequent payments worth thousands more for various home improvements and payments.

However, in August 2014, Williams and Moses ended their romantic relationship and she remained a resident of the home and began to pay rent before being forcibly evicted in December 2014 after being unable to make a rent payment. Following her eviction Williams contends Moses has listed the home for sale and is attempting to expedite the sale to keep her from gaining any rights to its sales proceeds.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for a temporary restraining order to stop any sale and reimbursement of funds.

Williams is represented by Robert Pearson of Harvey-based Pearson & Mitchell LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division B Judge Cornelius E. Regan.

Case no. 746-614.