Posting here for traffic and urgent replies
Background
Together 15 years married 7
4 dcs all his
He works I do not and haven’t during the marriage
He is not a high earner
Separated and he moved out of the house in April
House is a private rental in joint names
No joint accounts (always had separate bank accounts)
I am not claiming full benefits to pay rent and live. He gives me £100 a week direct into my back account from his for the kids (online maintenance calculator backs up this amount)
Married in 2011 in 2016 he took out a loan from Tesco and a family car was brought. No other cars in the house or vehicles owned. The log book Is in his name. He has always paid the loan the road fund and the insurance (I am a named driver on the policy) and drive the car more than he does taking kids to clubs days out shopping etc
Filed for divorce myself last month. Not claiming fees from him , not ticked the box over
Maintenance or custody arrangements as we verbally sort that out amicably so far
He received papers yesterday. First thing was a message saying he was coming round for the car key to take the car followed by divorces are expensive and it will be sold to pay for it
I reminded him I am not claiming the costs from him but that was met with silence.
He’s been absusive verbally and physically many times in the past so I simply left the key under a plant pot and he took it
Day one of the holidays and he would rather it sits outside his room unused all day than allow me to have it for his kids.
I assumed last night as it’s in his name it’s his but a quick google tells me it’s actually a joint marital asset and he can’t actually do that. Be easier if I tell him this and we attempt to come to an agreement between us.
What do I do next. Want to keep solicitors out of it due to cost and stress of it
Thanks