Ireland v. Flanagan
Court of Appeals of Oregon
627 P.2d 496 (1981)
Cherie Ireland (plaintiff) and Sharon Flanagan (defendant) were in an unmarried, committed relationship during which they bought a house titled solely in Flanagan's name and lived there together, depositing paychecks into a joint account used to pay bills including the house payments, until the relationship ended and Flanagan kept living there alone. Ireland sued for a one-half interest in the house; the trial court found Flanagan contributed more to the down payment, treated Ireland's contributions as a presumed gift that Ireland hadn't rebutted, found no promise by Flanagan to convey any interest, and denied relief to either side, prompting Ireland's appeal.
Whether cohabitants who intend to share resources for the payment of property obligations are considered equal co-tenants equally responsible for the property's enjoyment and obligations.