“We separated, but we were prepared …”

… and everything turned out OK.”

To this day, Emily and James are good friends, despite separating not long after they’d moved to Jerez together. 

They’d been here several times over the years and had decided to settle, in their own place, so they got in touch with Home Hunter Jerez. They were from California and were used to a great quality of life, sunshine and the sea, but were tiring of the constant reliance on their car to get where they wanted to go. They were fascinated by the idea of a closer, more human lifestyle. To be able to step outside and find life happening around them. To walk without rushing. To enjoy a drink on a terrace, shop at local stores, and greet by name the people who would gradually become part of their daily lives.

After visiting several options – refining their wishlist, truly understanding what mattered most to them, and ruling out what didn’t fit – they found a property near the center of Jerez. Very soon, that house stopped being just a property and became their home.

But sometimes life takes unexpected turns. And in their case, that change came soon after beginning this new chapter.

They decided that, although they had shared a project up to that point, their paths needed to continue separately. And then came the big question:

What happens when you’ve bought a property in Spain with your partner … and you decide to separate?

It’s not an unusual situation. But it is one that, if not handled properly, can become more complicated than necessary.

That’s where the right advice makes all the difference. Because when a couple lives together without being married, uncertainties can arise regarding ownership and assets – especially in delicate moments like a breakup or the death of one partner.

The plan had been clear: to buy the property jointly. James would take on the full cost of the renovation, and Emily, for her part, had already made the tough decision to leave behind her successful career in Santa Barbara.

Without a prior agreement drafted by a specialist lawyer, serious conflicts can arise – such as which law should apply or which courts have jurisdiction over their assets in Spain. Likewise, someone who contributes more money, or who pays a mortgage or expenses on a property not in their name, may find themselves completely unprotected and could lose their investment.

James and Emily sought advice from someone in the Home Hunter Jerez network, lawyer María José Rodríguez Rojas of Rojas Abogada, and signed a cohabitation agreement. This was a tailor-made contract in which they established their own ‘rules’: how they would pay for the property and renovation, what would happen with debts in case of separation, whether James would be entitled to reimbursement or a larger share of the property, which legal system would govern their relationship, what compensation Emily would receive for giving up her professional career, and so on. In addition, both made a will in Spain so they would be protected in the event that one of them passed away.

Thanks to these agreements – which must be clearly drafted by a specialist lawyer – Emily and James had a peaceful separation and today maintain a good friendship. They were clear about the rules of the game. James recovered the investment he made in the renovation, and Emily was compensated for the damages resulting from giving up her professional career back in the US. In this way, they avoided costly and painful legal disputes.

At Home Hunter Jerez, we don’t just care about helping you find your ideal home, but also about ensuring that once you are here everything is well structured and protected.

Because life changes. And when it does, the last thing you need is added complications.

That’s why we work with a network of professionals who specialise in international law, inheritance, and estate planning for foreign clients – people who can help you make decisions with clarity and confidence.

Emily and James – who I can now say are also friends – were deeply grateful to have had the right support at that moment.

Because when you are far from your home country, what you need is not more uncertainty, but clear, human solutions, with the right guidance.

And that is exactly what they found at Rojas Abogada: the peace of mind that comes from having the right professional to anticipate, prevent potential conflicts, and protect what truly mattered to them.