Don’t let a partner control every aspect of your life financially

I’m 65, divorced, retired on a fixed income, and engaged to a man, 52. We recently bought a home together with his name only on the mortgage, but both our names on the deed. I gave $15,000 for the downpayment; he didn’t have any to put down. Because I cashed in an investment to do this, I also had to take a loan to pay the taxes. Now the home I shared with my ex-husband has sold, so I’ll be able to pay off my loan, plus a credit card bill. But my fiancé wants me to put more money on this house, plus his credit card, so he won’t have such a large balance. I’d like to share some of this money with my two adult children (he has no children or family and isn’t fond of mine). If I don’t do this, he wants to take my name off the deed so my kids won’t get anything after I’m gone. If he should go first, I wouldn’t have a claim on this place, even though I’ve already invested a lot of time and money on it. He’s also pressuring me for marriage. Does it sound like he’s using me? – Bad Signals He’s taking advantage of you and behaving in a controlling manner. On the financial and legal matters, you need professional advice. It’s worth your time and some money to put all this before a lawyer. Then seek some advice from a senior person where you bank. The main point is this: The money you receive from the house you shared with your ex has nothing to do with this man. If you wished to share some with him, fine. But your children are logical recipients of some help if they need it, from this house sale. The fact that your fiancé is threatening you to not inherit any part of a house on which you’ve paid the down payment and are on the deed, is a VERY bad signal. Get more informed on your rights, then re-think the whole relationship.