How much would divorce cost me?

[yetanotherstatistic]

I'm contemplating divorce (named changed for obvious reasons). I don't know what the financial implications would be as I am the main breadwinner. We're not earning huge amounts but I earn twice what DH earns. Everything is in my name and I pay for virtually everything - mortgage/council tax/water/electricity/childcare etc. He pays for some of the food and some of the car related costs. This is conntributing in a big way to the problem as he is always promising to give me money towards the bills but it rarely materialises.

He has never been good with money and so we have separate bank accounts (apart from a joint savings account with a couple of quid in it). He has never adjusted to thinking that we are married and as such we effectively have a collective pot of money to cover everything. He thinks very much in terms of "his" money and "my" money. I can see that having separate bank accounts reinforces that but equally I didn't want to risk him overspending on a joint account and it leading to bills not being paid.

If we split up what would happen? Would I be expected to pay him maintenance and how much would that be? We have a DC who is at preschool full time so we don't have a primary carer although it does mainly fall to me at weekends.

With the house market as it is unlikely that we would be able to sell the house and I certainly couldn't afford to pay everything and pay for accommodation for him.

All info gratefully received.

[bonnieslilsister]

Sorry, I dont understand! Why on earth would you be paying him maintainance??? I am in Scotland but it cant be so different. Would your DC live with you? If so he should pay child maintainance to you for her.

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow]

Another confused one here.

Can you clarify who the dc would be living with?

[cestlavielife]

yuo married so you could in theory be liable for spousal mainteance to him. after all your allowed expenses. tho if he has his own income i am not sure. court would look at lifestyle he is accustomed to etc

if he has the Dc more nights than you, you couldl be liable to pay him child maintenance.

you need to get some legal advice.