Ex-Girlfriend threatening to sue

[soultwosoul]

I live in California and my girlfriend and I recently broke up and I plan on moving out. We signed a lease together and now she is saying she can not afford the rent by herself and that she expects me to continue to pay half the rent whether I live there or not. She says that I am liable to her for half the rent even if I move out. My question is, Is she correct? Also, if she takes me to court will she have to show proof that she cannot afford the rent?

[aaron]

You're on the lease with her, so technically it's the landlord who is owed your share of the rent. But if she pays your share she could try to sue you to recover it. What is she proposing - that you continue to live together? It's a bit unreasonable for her to insist that you pay half the rent while also demanding exclusive possession of the premises.

[soultwosoul]

Yes, what she really wants is for us to continue living together, but that is not an option I am even remotely willing to consider. My thoughts are that I should get my landlord to take me off the lease but I don't know if they will be willing to do so.