My problem is that my boyfriend got caught cheating and moved out of the house that we shared. We both signed the lease, therefore i'm stuck with paying the entire rent plus utilities by myself which I can not afford. I live in the house with my two children and can't afford to move out. We moved in at the end of April and signed a year lease. He has had all the utilities taken out of his name and I have had to put in mine. He works for the Army National Guard in NC. I hasn't given me or the landlord anything on August rent to date. I have communicated with the landlord and expressed that I want to stay and will be getting a roommate. I also had the locks changed and informed the landlord of this, as he was coming and going as he pleased when I wasn't home. My question is this...He left all his furniture and other personal belongings in the house. I stored them away and have let him know that he can get his things when he pays his portion of the rent. Can I legally sell these items to cover his portion of the rent? Also, can I sue him for unpaid rent until I find a roommate? Lastly, will the Army National Guard require him to pay his responsibilities?

Do you live in a common-law state?

Sounds like you should have gotten a ring first.

No, North Carolina does not recognize common law marriages.

Yes, your boyfriend signed the lease the same as you did - he CAN be made to pay out the rest of the lease period. If his half is less than $5k, you can file a suit in small claims court. Make sure you take a copy of the lease agreement that you both signed, and any receipts for rent that you've paid since he left.