Life Estate / Tenancy and Divorce

[Uncle Gleason]

My question involves real estate located in the State of: Maryland

Mother-In-Law gave wife and I $100,000 for us to put into our new home 5 years ago. In exchange, we built an apartment onto the house for her to live in for life. She pays the natural gas bill only, gets to park in garage. We pay all taxes, electric, etc. Her apartment is the same address as our home and her apartment is attached to the main house by the garage.

We are getting divorced. Mother-in-Law says if daughter is leaving SHE is leaving and I need to repay her $100,000 plus interest. I am not asking mother-in-law to leave and would be glad to have her stay but she won't, considering the circumstances. Wife says if she buys me out, we have to deduct her mothers $100,000 from the equity we have.

If mother-in-law voluntarily leaves, is she entitled to her $100,000?

If I leave and wife buys me out, is she correct that the $100,000 gets deducted from OUR equity?

[seniorjudge]

What, IN WRITING, did ma get?