American agrees to settle property dispute

AN American man has reached an agreement with his ex-girlfriend in dividing their apartment after mediation through a district court.

The American, identified as Jerry, agreed to pay 670,000 yuan (US$103,077) in compensation to his ex-girlfriend surnamed Lu while she would transfer her ownership of the apartment, now valued at 4.8 million yuan, to Jerry.

Jerry, 47, was sent by an American construction planning and design company to work in Shanghai in 2002. He fell in love with Lu, 17 years younger than he, in 2004.

The two planned to marry and Lu asked Jerry to buy an apartment. With Lu's help, Jerry bought an apartment for 1.44 million yuan on Xikang Road. Both of their names were on the deed.

The couple never married and broke up two years later. Lu's name remained on the deed even though she married another man.

In September, Jerry sought sole ownership of the apartment and filed a lawsuit with the Jing'an District People's Court.

The American said he had paid for the apartment and Lu had previously agreed to transfer her ownership after she accepted 80,000 yuan in compensation. But Lu didn't take her name off the deed, he told the court.

Lu argued she contributed by negotiating with the real estate agency. She also told the court she paid for decoration.

Judges said that Lu didn't deserve half because they never married.

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