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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Dating a man who is long term separated but not seeking a divorce

308 replies

Eulalia2 · 31/12/2018 17:09

I am a widow of 3 years and started a relationship with a man 9 months ago. It’s quite serious and we see each other almost every day and we spend the night together 2 nights a week. He’s been separated for 8 years. I asked him why he’d never divorced and he said at the time of the break up he felt it was less traumatic for his kids, older two were in the their twenties and youngest was 14. I’ve hinted that I feel that he’s not really free for me and he’s said he would do something about it in the future. Whenever it comes up he’s always very vague or just doesn’t speak. I know there is nothing between them as she’s living with somone else although their relationship isn’t that great. He finished with a rather causal but long term relationship almost a year ago. I think he feels its too soon to talk about our future but when is the right time? I’ve been quite ill mentally and only just started feeling better recently and he even said I might not want to stay with him. However I love him to bits and he’s said the same to me. I suppose what bothers me is that regardless of how he feels it works out with us he doesn’t have the incentive to actually take that step and divorce her. Is it just a man thing that men won’t do that unless pushed to? Should I back off or should I talk more?

OP posts:
Eulalia2 · 04/01/2019 13:31

Butterfly, see my last post. He wasn’t bothered about me talking about it and have said I wasn’t happy all the way through just not been so open. Have been good friends with him for a year although yes the romance bit is 9 months. Other posters have said they know well how they feel about someone after this time. The problem is we are both very insecure. I am very well educated (2 degrees) and he isn’t and he feels intellectually inferior. It doesn’t matter a jot to me. We’re not rushing into anything just now obviousy and just enjoying spending time together.

OP posts:
ConcreteUnderpants · 05/01/2019 10:23

Well done OP.
After 12 pages you are now in exactly the same position you were at the start, apart from a vague mumbling about divorce sometime in the future.

Sheesh.
Just hope you have listened to us all about the house....

Grobagsforever · 05/01/2019 10:36

Only on Mumsnet would we hear a story of a woman giving a short term boyfriend A HOUSE

OP I'm a widow myself (although my kids are still small) and I felt guilty allocating Christmas present funds to my boyfriend!! Which was ridiculous as I had enough money for the kids to still get LOADS

Run. Run. Keep Running

Eulalia2 · 06/01/2019 11:37

But I am further on. We’ve had a good talk. The separation is as good as a divorce, she has no claim on his money, she is not her next of kin. It is different in Scotland. It’s just a technicality. We’re still early in our relationship and plenty of time to move it to a new level. I think if we start trying to make people ‘perfect’ then we just get bogged down with it rather than accepting them for what they are. RL friends think we are a good couple together.

I wish people would catch up - I am NOT giving him my HOUSE.

OP posts:
GoFiguire · 06/01/2019 12:44

How are you going to pay him for the renovation if you’re not going to give him your house?

Skang · 06/01/2019 18:32

It turned out she has the money all along..

raver123 · 07/01/2019 12:40

My mother and father lived in Scotland they were spectated and when he died she was left everything as he had no will. This is what he would have wanted though. A separated is STILL married. Do not date married men! Why do people think this is ok to do? I'm baffled, until his divorce is through he's still married, that's a fact!

halfwitpicker · 07/01/2019 12:44

I've said it before and I'll say it again : these men!

Why are your standards so low, op?

Because that's what it boils down to.

halfwitpicker · 07/01/2019 12:44

The separation is as good as a divorce

^^^

Weeping. With laughter or at your ignorance /naivety, I'm not sure.

raver123 · 07/01/2019 13:36

Exactly I'm more surprised by these poster saying she's pushing him demanding ultimatums. I'm afraid if a man hasn't got a divorce and hasn't made any effort into getting one I certainly wouldn't not even give him a single date! It WILL cause heartache don't do it! In the eyes of the law he's married and in the eyes of god too (if you're religious).

Nanny0gg · 07/01/2019 14:13

Then please now do just enjoy your time together.

If you keep having ‘those’ conversations with him it will end anyway,

Eulalia2 · 07/01/2019 19:02

He has a will and she’s not in it. Certainly if no will then spouse gets it but not the case here. I’ve read up on the legal stuff and he’s aready made a financial settlement with her, she has no claim on him. I will pay him for the housse when I sell it (which will be in by name).

OP posts:
Myoldfriend · 07/01/2019 19:28

What’s in it for him then if he has to wait for you to sell it. What if you can’t/don’t sell.

3WildOnes · 07/01/2019 19:32

Don’t give him half your house.
I know an ex couple who have stayed married although separated. They agreed to do this to protect their children’s inheritance I think.

Eulalia2 · 08/01/2019 00:42

We will draw up a legal document.

OP posts:
SlowDown76mph · 08/01/2019 07:16

Hopefully you mean you will get your own independent solicitor to draw up a legal document.

echt · 08/01/2019 07:27

He has a will and she’s not in it

That you know of.

echt · 08/01/2019 07:29

I should have said, he could write other wills.

As long as they are married she is his next of kin, she has a claim.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 08/01/2019 08:02
Hmm
BuddhaBelly · 08/01/2019 08:51

If you have enough savings to do the work on your house how are you receiving tax credits? Hmm

PlumpSyrianHamster · 08/01/2019 08:55

None of this makes sense. But well, he saw you coming. A fool and his money are soon parted.

PerverseConverse · 08/01/2019 09:03

Batshit bs

Myoldfriend · 08/01/2019 09:50

You can claim tax credits with savings.

PerverseConverse · 08/01/2019 09:56

Pretty sure you don't get a council flat when you've already got a house big enough to divide into two though.

StripeyChina · 08/01/2019 10:01

Don't enter into ANY property or financial arrangements with him.
Pay him from your savings if you must but better to get indy trades.
Safer, cleaner, gives your relationship a better chance actually.

If you enjoy seeing him enough keep doing so.
Stop pushing the Divorce issue. See what happens.
But be prepared for it to never happen, and for it to potter along.

Most of all though, prioritise your health and the needs of your kids (their health, their financial future, the health and stability of their mum). You may regret it is this gets lost in the mix of life.