Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Now I aint saying she's a golddigger...

524 replies

FeelingGoodAsHelll · 23/01/2023 11:11

Hello all

My title is exactly how I am being made to feel right now.

Me and my husband are currently separating - we aren't legally separated just yet - we need to agree on minute of agreement which will be issued hopefully soon - his solicitor is drawing them up.

We bought out house 2 years before getting married. My STBXH paid the deposit (around 25k). I had just finished uni at that point and was in a trainee role.. so my salary was peanuts for a while. His parents gifted £5k to US (no paperwork, nothing) a few years back and paid towards some of our wedding too. Again, it was to US, no paperwork.

My STBXH, as he earns x4 my salary, decided to overpay the mortgage every month, as he could afford to, and wanted to reduce our mortgage quickly etc. I didnt overpay as I had a lower salary and couldnt afford to. The mortgage / bill split was probably 70/30 (me paying 30, I didnt decide this split, he put everyhthing into a spreadsheet which worked out what we should both pay, his idea).

We verbally made an agreement that I could keep something (I wont say what as it will be very outing) if I dont touch his pension & savings account. He also wanted me to give back his deposit, which I intially agreed but house prices are high so I said no that I wanted the house split 50/50 as per title deeds. He agreed. He then came over a few days ago and told me that he wanted me to agree to not touch anything in his personal bank account (I said I wouldnt, why would I?!). He then said that he wanted x, y, z item from the house added to this "list". I started to get annoyed as this list is getting bigger and bigger and all I wanted was one thing.

Anyway, he said he would buy me out, and pay me half the house, he told me the figure he could afford. Home report came back below this figure (by quite a bit). He now tells me he can't afford it, despite telling me the bank has agreed to lend him the money. He then asked if I would decrease my share. I asked by how much. He then said he wanted all overpayments, his deposit, and all monetary gifts his mum and dad deducted from my share. I told him that we should just sell the house if he can't afford to buy me out, he is reluctant to do this.

I Told him he was taking the piss and that he wont be happy until I walk away with nothing. He profoundly apologised, said he would move money around to get the funds (So he can afford it). I then picked a solicitor who told me that my verbal agreement was rubbish and that she wanted to see all bank accounts, savings, pensions to see what I am legally entitled to. I disagreed but she was quite adamant. I gave my STBXH the heads up about this to which he said, "if you or your solicitor ask any questions, or try and take my pension or savings, the fighting gloves will come on and mud will be thrown... youll walk away with a lot less than 50%, you'll regret it".

In the meantime, he keeps telling me to put offers on properties so I can move out asap but I can't as I don't know what my deposit will be. He keeps telling me to get a mortgage in principle, which I have but they are really low as I am putting down the worst case scenario, i.e. if I do end up with nothing. He told me that he won't give me my share of the money until I give my keys back to him (if he buys me out). I offered to move into my dads, so I can get this money and move on, but asked if I could keep bigger furniture in our house (my dads house is tiny) until I move in my own house, he said no, once I move out, I cant come back. I feel like he is pressuring me. My solicitor said he is bullying me and I should call bluff on the thing he has promised that I can have if I dont touch x, y, z.

I only want 50/50 split on house and the promised thing. However, I feel he is being unfair and pressuring me.

AIBU??

This split was mutal!!

OP posts:
FeelingGoodAsHelll · 23/01/2023 17:52

theycallmejane · 23/01/2023 17:50

I have told him repeatedly to move back and we will power through this mess and sort everytthing out.

Why on earth would he want to move back/you want him to move back? You've broken up, and it doesn't sound like you're ever going to be friends again after this.

Honestly, OP, living with a new ex sounds hell to me - if you're both living apart currently, that's not something I'd want to change!

Are you secretly hoping to reconcile?

God no!!

I was feeling bad when he was always complaining to me.

I could never get back with him now

OP posts:
FeelingGoodAsHelll · 23/01/2023 17:53

Catnary · 23/01/2023 17:52

If she is in Scotland, as I suspect, she won't even know what "tenants in common" means. Confusingly, it's actually called "joint tenants" in Scotland, and "joint tenancy" means something different in England!

Yes, I am in Scotland.

OP posts:
Bournetilly · 23/01/2023 17:54

He’s blackmailing you!
Tell him all contact is to be through your solicitors now and please listen to your solicitors advice.

Tricolette · 23/01/2023 17:56

Listen to your solicitor.
Don’t just sign things to keep the peace.
If you are legally entitled to half of everything then you have room to manoeuvre and get what you originally wanted and the dog.

DogInATent · 23/01/2023 17:57

The mortgage / bill split was probably 70/30
I only want 50/50 split on house

Realistically you have a 50% stake in the unpaid value of the house, and a 30% stake in the amount of the mortgage paid off - and that's being generous to you as his overpayments will have significantly reduced the overall interest payments.

Soothsayer1 · 23/01/2023 18:01

Poker face- dont react to anything he does, any reaction gives him info about how you feel and how you might respond, how much he is getting to you etc.
Dont give him anything to go on.

ijustneedanamefgs · 23/01/2023 18:01

You are together 15yrs not 2 or 3. It’s all family money 15yrs in imo. Yes he’s the higher earner, but you have supported him to get there. He was a student when you got together. He’s trying to hide his assets. Let your solicitor go through everything and then decide what you are happy with. You don’t want to touch his pension and savings fine, but you should know all the details before you agree anything. Overpayments on the mortgage. If he hadn’t paid those then would that money have went on your joint lifestyle? Were you able to build personal savings?
He’s being threatening and blackmailing you with the dog. Tell him all financial communications are to be done via the solicitor. He’s happy to allow his solicitor to sort it but is unhappy you have one? There’s a reason for that. Also I hope he didn’t sort the valuation on the house? Get a couple more

Soothsayer1 · 23/01/2023 18:05

I am getting upset with threats
obviously threats are upsetting, but this also tells you he's not all that smart, all this can be used as ammunition against him and he is giving it away for free. You'll soon have a nice fat dossier on him and he'll have nothing on you as you'll have behaved perfectly.

Catnary · 23/01/2023 18:08

www.brookman.co.uk/divorce/how-divorce-differs-between-scotland-and-england

No point in people sharing their English experiences here.

OneMorePlant · 23/01/2023 18:12

If he hadn’t paid those then would that money have went on your joint lifestyle? Were you able to build personal savings?

This is also a great point. He insisted on a much larger house. He insisted on overpaying. If he would have done none of those you both had more money for every day use and you probably would have some decent savings. You are in a pickle because you went along with his wants.

Lavenderflower · 23/01/2023 18:12

I think this unfair to your hubby. It would be a different if there were children involved and you were a stay at home parent.

Lovelysausagedogscrumpy · 23/01/2023 18:16

StepAwayFromGoogling · 23/01/2023 12:18

Yes, he is. But his parents gifted the money to their son, not to both of them. It should be taken off the house value.

Er - read the OP again. It says the money was gifted to US not HIM.

PuggyMum · 23/01/2023 18:16

@catnary I read your last post in Michael Mcintyres voice as per his Scottish money / scotch eggs sketch!

Bibbetyboo · 23/01/2023 18:17

Listen to your solicitor. Get the documents together and have some space.

Stop making ‘agreements’ with someone who keeps backtracking. It just adds to bad feeling on both sides.

It is unreasonable for family to want gifts etc taken into consideration. It was a gift to both of you, it’s common property etc. Doesn’t count to his ledger. - this is a totally non legal opinion.

just listen to your solicitor. What drives up costs is people not communicating with their lawyers and not being clear about things, creating more work later. Not the talking to a solicitor etc.

AcrossthePond55 · 23/01/2023 18:17

Lavenderflower · 23/01/2023 18:12

I think this unfair to your hubby. It would be a different if there were children involved and you were a stay at home parent.

Why?

I was a working mum. Are you saying I should get less than a SAHM simply because I chose to work?

Or that because there are no children someone should automatically be entitled to less than their fair share?

EL0ISE · 23/01/2023 18:18

DashboardConfessional · 23/01/2023 17:02

I think you can forget about any verbal agreements and an amicable split. Forward to solicitor and ignore.

This.

I assume that you are in Scotland and the law is different , som posters here are advising you on English law. The starting point in Scots law is 50 : 50 on matrimonial assets.

He might have a source of funds argument with gifts from his parents.

Stop thinking that you can negotiate with him direct and let your solicitors deal.

Stop saying stupid things like you agree to exclude his savings and pension, you don’t even have a value for them.

hopefully your solicitors can reach agreement and you can go through the simplified procedure.

Soubriquet · 23/01/2023 18:21

For gods sake woman. Stop bleating about how you only want half the house.

Let your solicitor do what she’s meant to do, and get what you’re entitled to.

Dont him control you like this

AcrossthePond55 · 23/01/2023 18:21

Stop making ‘agreements’ with someone who keeps backtracking. It just adds to bad feeling on both sides.

This, with bells on. In future you need to say "All this needs to be handled via our solicitors". It should pretty much be the answer to any issues that arise.

Lovelysausagedogscrumpy · 23/01/2023 18:22

Nocutenamesleft · 23/01/2023 17:28

And the fact it’s a short marriage? Have you even googled the cases which define a short marriage?

A short marriage would only come into play if there was doubt about who is entitled to what - if OP wasn’t named on the house deeds for example. She is, and is entitled to half as a result. Not sure it’s fair given how much of a deposit he paid, but there we are.

Tiani4 · 23/01/2023 18:22

FeelingGoodAsHelll · 23/01/2023 16:54

Wow, I have just received the following text:

I can move money around but I dont want to, take my offer or leave it. I would like to see dogs name tomorrow and will come over and pick him up while you are at work. Solicitor is still drafing minute of agreement and I have instructed her to add a line stating that my parents gifts, deposit, overpayments, pension, and savings will be deducted from your half. That money was for our life together. Since that isnt happening anymore, its not yours. I will continute seeing dogs name until you sign and agree to these terms"

Lol!! He's bullying you and you have no reason to listen to this as it isn't legal position at all

Michellexxx · 23/01/2023 18:22

Stop listening to people declaring you’re a gold digger. You absolutely aren’t. And stop texting him. Get in touch with your lawyer, find out his financial status and use this to your advantage to ensure that you get what you think is best: dog and 50% of house equity.

I am sure that with savings and pension, this is probably very fair.

Motelschmotel · 23/01/2023 18:23

Also, just thinking about your DH’s salary and pension etc, he could have up to £100k in that by now if he’s on £100k by 30-ish years old. A perk of his job, which he worked at, etc etc. But, just sayin’.

ImAvingOops · 23/01/2023 18:23

You have been together for 15 years - that's not a 5 minute relationship. And you are married - that means you both agreed to pool assets and resources. It doesn't matter that he paid more, the house belongs to you as much as him since it is home to you both. If he wanted to protect his payments, he ought not to have married, just bought a house as tenants in common with legally agreed shares!

The money his parents gave, was a gift to you both as a couple - it makes no odds that they would have given it regardless of who their son was married to because the fact of the matter is that he was married to you!

Take what you are legally entitled to wrt the house - he paid more because he earned more and could afford more - that doesn't make it less yours!

Lovelysausagedogscrumpy · 23/01/2023 18:24

PuggyMum · 23/01/2023 17:35

I think if you're tenants in common if unmarried it's be a 50/50 split unless he ringfenced anything....

Leave it up to your solicitor now.

They’re married.

Justanothercatlady · 23/01/2023 18:24

Your (and his solicitor) are not your friends. They will provide advice but also look to ‘get as much as possible’ regardless of how you two would like to be amicable. I had this with a solicitor when I got divorced. She was quite vile about my STXHB and she’d never met him! We agreed between ourselves but we were amicable. It’s hard to separate the desire to be helpful and rub along in the same living space with the emotional rollercoaster that you’re both on! You will both be getting well meaning advice and it can be overwhelming especially as people will want to talk to you about it. This is your life not some idle gossip. You need to be your own best advocate. If possible take a break away to get some head space. It is possible to work through to a less angry place and talk. It’s hard because you can’t go yo therapy together to talk it through!!

Swipe left for the next trending thread