# Changing the locks on the house

**URL:** <https://forum.rosen.com/t/changing-the-locks-on-the-house/14317>\
**Category:** Divorce and Separation Answers\
**Created:** [September 13, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/changing-the-locks-on-the-house/14317 "2012-09-13T01:15:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![hborojeb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/91b2a8/32.png) [@hborojeb](https://forum.rosen.com/u/hborojeb)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/changing-the-locks-on-the-house/14317/1 "2012-09-13T01:15:32Z")

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My wife and I have been separated for 1 year. She chose to leave the hosue. Can i legally change the locks on the house without giving her a key?

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**Author:** ![juniorjam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47c2d/32.png) [@juniorjam](https://forum.rosen.com/u/juniorjam)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/changing-the-locks-on-the-house/14317/2 "2012-09-13T22:25:33Z")

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**Not an attorney**

Since she left without the intent to come back, you could have changed the locks on day 1. This is at least what my lawyer advised me.

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**Author:** ![Kathleen\_Putiri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@Kathleen\_Putiri](https://forum.rosen.com/u/Kathleen_Putiri)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:55am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/changing-the-locks-on-the-house/14317/3 "2012-09-17T02:55:54Z")

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Yes, if she has established a new residence, you can change the locks.