I need help with a troubesome situation. My ex-partner, we were engaged, is threatening me with legal action to take my furniture and appliances from my apartment. The rental agreement is in my name however his residence card is registered at this address. We have no formal agreement on what belongs to who in the apartment and have shared the costs of everything. Does he have any rights here? What should I do? Please help!
Help with ex-partner threatening to take legal action
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He doesn't have a key anymore. But he has threatened to return with law enforcement. Are these empty threats or does he have legal ground to do something?
I don't think the police would get involved. This is a civil dispute, not theft/robbery/etc.
While I have read reports here of compensation being paid when a planned marriage is called off, I'm not sure if your engagement qualifies, or what the factors/aspects of an engagement/planned marriage would make something qualify. Eg, simply referring to yourselves as engaged, or would some wedding planning also be necessary?
If it would put an end to later harassment of you for other things--for more than what he wants right now--it might be worth it to give up some stuff to gain that 'freedom'. But then the question is: how can you be certain that giving him some furniture/appliances will make it stop? Personally, I would not trust just getting his assurance on that.
If you want actual legal advice, many communities offer Q&A sessions with lawyers. Only 30min, from what I've heard, and it may only be offered once every month or two, but a free session.
Edit: and be thankful that you broke up at this stage, instead of after getting married! As they say, 'you dodged a bullet'.
While I have read reports here of compensation being paid when a planned marriage is called off, I'm not sure if your engagement qualifies, or what the factors/aspects of an engagement/planned marriage would make something qualify. Eg, simply referring to yourselves as engaged, or would some wedding planning also be necessary?
If it would put an end to later harassment of you for other things--for more than what he wants right now--it might be worth it to give up some stuff to gain that 'freedom'. But then the question is: how can you be certain that giving him some furniture/appliances will make it stop? Personally, I would not trust just getting his assurance on that.
If you want actual legal advice, many communities offer Q&A sessions with lawyers. Only 30min, from what I've heard, and it may only be offered once every month or two, but a free session.
Edit: and be thankful that you broke up at this stage, instead of after getting married! As they say, 'you dodged a bullet'.
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- #7
Thank you for the advice!
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- #9
Yes, we're both foreign residents.
Then truly, the police will want nothing to do with this--a possible argument over who gets things like furniture or appliances. They may suggest or encourage the both or you to talk with each other.
Second, since you are both foreign residents, I doubt there would ever be any bit of compensation expected (for breaking off the engagement, as I mentioned earlier), since you both are completely outside the system here.
Still, harassment or stalking is reportable to the police. So if that's what's happening, keep records of it--so that you can show what it is and how often it is happening. Be sure to save any emails, any notes he leaves, and screenshot any (Line) messages or other things like that.
Only you can decide when one or another boundary is crossed--is this just more talk with your ex, or is he harassing you? And it is your choice to set boundaries, for example when to block his calls/messages completely, instead of trying to approach him rationally/reasonably, to 'talk it thru'.
Asking to be given pieces of furniture or appliances is probably a way to keep controlling the relationship, to keep his sense of that (control/dominance/superiority), rather than giving up on it. Trying to salvage his ego, at some cost to you.
Second, since you are both foreign residents, I doubt there would ever be any bit of compensation expected (for breaking off the engagement, as I mentioned earlier), since you both are completely outside the system here.
Still, harassment or stalking is reportable to the police. So if that's what's happening, keep records of it--so that you can show what it is and how often it is happening. Be sure to save any emails, any notes he leaves, and screenshot any (Line) messages or other things like that.
Only you can decide when one or another boundary is crossed--is this just more talk with your ex, or is he harassing you? And it is your choice to set boundaries, for example when to block his calls/messages completely, instead of trying to approach him rationally/reasonably, to 'talk it thru'.
Asking to be given pieces of furniture or appliances is probably a way to keep controlling the relationship, to keep his sense of that (control/dominance/superiority), rather than giving up on it. Trying to salvage his ego, at some cost to you.
- 17 Sep 2005
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Here is a link from the City of Himeji for free lawyer consultations. It looks to originally be from 2016, so you may want to confirm whether the information is still accurate. Also, be forewarned that it's all in Japanese.
