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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To accept the money ?

76 replies

army2426 · 28/11/2021 11:43

Long story short, me and my husband separated earlier on this year. At the time, a lot had happened and the relationship was strained. I wasn't happy anymore and decided to call time on it. Shortly, before we separated my brother very kindly gifted us a lot of money. My husband has always had a thing about money and a lot of it I think is he likes control over it as he's very insecure. Don't get me wrong, he worked extremely hard to provide for our family and was generous and never withheld money but I feel as though he almost felt demasculated by it. I cannot work as we have a child with special needs so I think he's always been quite proud that he has worked so hard to solely provide for us.

When we separated, we decided to sell and split the house 50/50 and I gave him half of what was left that my brother gave me after I'd spent some on the house and also we brought a vehicle when we were together.

Anyway, fast forward to now - were trying again, We have both realised that we do really love each other and we'd like to try again. Whilst we were separated he brought another house using the money from what I gave him from my brother. As I cannot work my brother has kindly offered to go on the mortgage with me as well as put some money into the house so that we can get something suitable. Me and husband have agreed to not live together for a while as to not to confuse kids and to be sure we can move past the last year. He also wants the security of having his own place should it happen again, which I agree is a sensible idea.

The last few days though he's been saying he wants me to decline the money from my brother, said it's pushing him out and that I should just have him on the mortgage and get a much smaller house than what I've been looking at. The houses I'm looking at are not large, 3 bed semis ( I have two dc ) but house prices are sky high at the moment and the area we live is more expensive but I'd like to stay around here as my dd has just started school here. He's suggesting I go 15 miles or so out so that I can get a cheaper house. The issue i have is that my ds isn't at school at the moment and the drive every morning would be a pain, plus i like my daughter would be around her school friends etc. He has said it isn't fair I get help and he's had to provide everything for himself and that I should do it on my own like he has. My feelings are difference is, I have a disabled child that likely won't be leaving home, I want stability for us.

As things are still early days with sorting things out im torn as if it goes tits up again. I'll be in a house / area I don't want to be in.

I've said moving forward, if things work out we will give my brother the money back and sort something for us.

I just don't know if I am BU having this money or whether he is 🤷🏽‍♀️

OP posts:
Porfre · 28/11/2021 13:55

@army2426

He thinks I'm spoilt and have no value of money as he's always provided and now my brother. It annoys him - and whilst I see what he's saying, ( although before we had kids I worked full time and paid all my bills etc on my own ) but as you said I just see it as making me life unnecessarily harder ? I don't choose not to work. I can't - in unemployable due to my sons appointments, hospital admissions and now his refusal to go to school or even leave the house.
It annoys him that you can manage without him. He probably thought you'd come crying back to him. But youve got good family support and didnt need him
Dashel · 28/11/2021 14:40

Your brother is amazing and your partner is a selfish hypocrite.

I can’t believe you gave him some of your brothers money and your brother is ok with that and then is kind enough to give you more.

Your ex seems to want his fingers in every pie on his own terms and conditions with values that only apply if he says they do I think you need to protect yourself and your dc emotionally and financially and your ex doesn’t seem to want that for you.

Don’t get me wrong it’s great that your brother is helping you, but how many times is he going to do that if it’s your ex that keeps getting a benefit from it and not you and the dc? Was he ok with giving your ex his money? I would have had a fit if I was your brother and I can’t believe your ex took it..... especially with all his principles 🤦‍♀️

NoSquirrels · 28/11/2021 14:48

If I was your brother I’d be worried and cross if you got back together with your ex without considering your independent position.

Your ex doesn’t sound like he has the heat interests of you and his DC at heart.

bucketsoflove · 28/11/2021 15:16

Sorry OP but I can't believe what I'm reading either.
Anybody who loved you would want the best for your and DC, your ex is trying to drag you down.
So many red flags.
Grab that lifeline your brother is offering with both hands.
You need to think and act like a single parent doing the best you can for yourself and DC.
You owe your ex nothing - no money, no say in your decisions and no reconciliation unless that is really what you want (and I think he sounds awful so I can't imagine why you would want to?)

Gliderx · 28/11/2021 15:20

I agree that if I were the brother, I wouldn't be pleased with your ex getting a share of my money.

My concern would be for you and the DC but I would be questioning your judgement. So I'd offer to pay rent on a house or buy a property for you to live in, but I wouldn't be putting it into your ownership in case your ex got hold of it.

That's what I'd be thinking in your brother's position.

Alonelonelyloner · 28/11/2021 15:21

Your DH sounds like an utter tool - an a controllng one at that.
If you go along with this, you will (100% guaranteed) regret it.

I am shaking my head vigorously. What a KNOB.

HippeePrincess · 28/11/2021 15:25

I'd not take anymore from your brother just now as your greedy husband will benefit again, see a solicitor about getting more than 50/50 in a divorce settlement that you'd be entitled to due to your lack of earning potential and needing to house you and your dc and start divorce proceedings.

Porfre · 28/11/2021 15:25

Theres lots of good advice on this thread.

Especially the bits about protecting your brothers gift to you.

Make sure it cant be claimed by your ex in an event.of a divorce.

Speak to a solicitor about how you can ringfence the money.

army2426 · 29/11/2021 09:19

Thanks all. I have told my husband I will be accepting the money so it’s tough and if he doesn’t like it - he knows what he can do. You’re all so right. I need to do what’s best for me and the kids and it is strange he wouldn’t want the same.

My brother IS amazing! The actual best and we have said that any money given from here on in will be protected from my husband in the event we do get divorced.

OP posts:
tootiredtospeak · 29/11/2021 09:22

Tell him to fuck off you arent living together you dont make the decision together you can take whatever money you like. He difnt refuse it when it came to buying his house if he was so bothered he should have done that.

MrsWooster · 29/11/2021 09:25

@Thelnebriati

You have a disabled child and he calls you spoiled. He is trying to remove you from the support your brother is giving you.

Can you see he is still trying to control you?

This. Read this post again and see if it strikes a cord.
grapewine · 29/11/2021 09:27

So he still wants to control you and for you to be dependent on him and away from support system. Glad you're taking the money, but I'd think long and hard about getting back together with this person.

Lasair · 29/11/2021 09:33

He didn’t do it on his own he bought the house he’s in with money from your brother…

Inertia · 29/11/2021 10:06

If your husband was that proud about not accepting money from your brother he wouldn't have taken what you offered in the first place.

Your brother is being extraordinarily kind, and is probably taking the perspective of trying to provide some security for his niece and nephew.

I'd struggle to find any respect for a partner who considered me spoiled due to caring full time for child with disabilities.

IknowwhatIneed · 29/11/2021 10:15

I’d be seriously rethinking trying again with him tbh, having a measure of financial security is so important and you’re caring for your child which prevents you working.

Or perhaps he could stop working, give up his career to care for his disabled child and give you space for your career. I’m guessing he won’t go for that though, because it would leave him too vulnerable 🤷‍♀️

NorthSouthcatlady · 29/11/2021 10:29

Cool, if you’re that “spoilt” and have it so easy then why doesn’t your husband care for your child and you go back to work? I would seriously be considering if you want to give your relationship another go. Your brother sounds very supportive but your husband sounds like a controlling dick

FreedomFaith · 29/11/2021 10:52

He is spoilt too then as he used your brothers money on his house.

Tell him to fuck off and if he's that bothered, he can give your brother back the money he used. Otherwise he gets no say and he can piss off.

Alieninmybody · 29/11/2021 11:03

You know if someone loves you they see the good in you and don't find reasons to criticise. It's shocking that you're caring for your children, one who has additional needs and he calls you spoilt.
How and why did he receive your brother's money when you separated?

If the shoe was on the other foot and you were leaving him with no job and two dependant kids would you have sold the family home from under them and taken money his sibling gave him?

AffableApple · 30/11/2021 22:29

@Thursdaymiami

WTAF AM I READING

You don’t work and you have a disabled child and yet you split everything 50/50

You only separated and did not divorce so he still has a claim on everything else you get gifted from now on in.

He has a totally separate house he paid for with your brothers money, and he wants you to move to a more crap area and a more crap house because he thinks you’re SPOILT.

You are married to an ABUSER. Anyone who could take 50% off a disabled child of theirs and want them to have a more shit life is a real cunt.

WAKE UP - GET A DIVORCE
get more than 50% and everything else you’re entitled to, do you have a pension????????? Does your H? What are you going to do in old age when you’ve nothing to your name and you’re now looking after a disabled adult.

This is all levels of fucked up

This. All of this.
Crinkle77 · 30/11/2021 22:49

@army2426

He thinks I'm spoilt and have no value of money as he's always provided and now my brother. It annoys him - and whilst I see what he's saying, ( although before we had kids I worked full time and paid all my bills etc on my own ) but as you said I just see it as making me life unnecessarily harder ? I don't choose not to work. I can't - in unemployable due to my sons appointments, hospital admissions and now his refusal to go to school or even leave the house.
And you want to get back with him why? He's trying to manipulate, control you and keep you reliant on him.
Allsorts1 · 30/11/2021 22:49

Hmm sounds like your husband hasn’t changed very much. Definitely take the gift from your brother but this time ring fence it so it’s just yours and you have financial independence from your husband. Your brother sounds very generous.

neededafart · 01/12/2021 06:41

Your brother is a kind decent man. Your husband is a sounds as nice as dick rot.

timeisnotaline · 01/12/2021 06:53

No fucking way. This all the way —->
So your ex is happy to spend your brother's money on HIS house, but he doesn't want you to spend your brother's money on your house, for you and your disabled DC so you can be close to school??

Does he not even see the hypocrisy that he’s used YOUR brothers money to buy a house and also thinks despite you having dc to look after (while he doesn’t?) that you don’t deserve to also use YOUR brothers money for the same reason? Or that he thinks it’s important for him to have a house of his own and independence in case it doesn’t work out but wants you to NOT have a house of your own but to depend on him instead?
Shame you gave him any of the money. You’re bloody lucky your brother gave you some more. Please protect it from your ex BEFORE taking it and buying the house. You’re still married so he would be entitled to it, and he sounds like the kind who would try and take your house just to teach you a lesson.

GrumpyLivesInMyHouseNow · 01/12/2021 07:20

Several things jump out here.

Firstly your dh took 50% of the money your brother gave you - he needs to remember that when he's calling people spoilt etc

He took 50% when you split even though you have a sn child and can't work - I doubt there is any solicitor or judge in the country that would have agreed that's a fair split. Again your dh needs to remember that when calling you spoilt

You need to put yourself and your dc first when it comes to accepting help from your family (money or otherwise) - you dh is being controlling and putting his own wants and needs before you AND your dc

Sorry op but I think you need to re look and your relationship, it simply doesn't seem to be an equal and mutually respectful relationship

Your dh sounds jealous and controlling

Thefuturestory · 01/12/2021 07:38

I bet he doesn’t even do his share of the childcare either! Do you ever get a break OP?!

Listen to the advice on this thread. Personally I’d do a dirty den and serve him divorce papers for his Christmas present!

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