Ok so my MIL was left in over £16,000 debt by her DH (not FIL) they have lived apart for approximately 8 years after he went off with OW only then did she find out about the debt but he wouldn't give her his new address (living with OW)
They have a son together who is now 21 but she brought him up since the spilt single handedly.
Through their relationship of (20 years) she worked he never did. She had no idea about the debt as she was always at work he dealt with the post and also her wages apparently paying the bills sorting the finances. She thought he was paying bills ect but he fiddled the tax credits also took out loans in her name without her consent.
She's an honest lady but not very clued up. Since he left she has paid and is still paying his debt off as she has been to scared to contest it incase it lands her in further debt.
Anyway her DH father has died and her DH is set to inherit £60,000+ and suddenly she's had divorce papers come through the post telling her to sign and return within 7 days which she almost did. Thankfully she hasn't done this and we've told her to hang fire.
Is it true she is entitled to half of whatever he gets? Whether she is or not she wouldn't actually do that (although she should he's vile and destroyed her mentally) but we've said she should be compensated for at least the £16,000 she's paid off which he happily pissed down the drain and spent on his OW. He's even kicking off that his own son will get £10,000 inheritance which is in the will.
Is it right that whilst they are still legally married even though living apart for a number of years she is still entitled to at least some of this money & is this why divorce papers have suddenly been sent because he knows this and is panicking?