AIBU to expect the house value to be split evenly?

[jumbojumbo]

Hoping this should be a clear cut yes or no.

Whilst pregnant, bought house as a cash buyer with husband 10 years ago, paid 40k each and bought the house as tenants in common.

Following maternity leave, I decided to leave my job, in order to take care of my newborn at the time, and become a full time stay at home mum. Had another child shortly afterwards.

The house was old and needed renovation, and whilst I helped complete jobs on the house, my husband paid for 100% of the cost of the renovations due to me obviously not working.

We are now in the process of discussing divorce, and looking at him buying me out with cash so that he owns the house solely. He thinks that since he paid for all of the renovations, he should be entitled to a larger share of the house, since his renovations have raised the value of the house. Obviously the house value has also risen purely due to the current market.

We havent discussed numbers, but say the house is now worth £140k would a 80/60k split be fair?

What price all the childcare you did?
He may have put more in, but only because you were saving the nursery costs etc...

I hope when you say "I decided" you mean it was joint decision but either way, you've curtailed your earning potential to look after your joint children, at least a joint split is standard.

I don’t know what you’re voting buttons mean - but you need to get proper legal advice for all assets including pensions. Not just the house. And giving him a larger portion when you may have DC more and therefore reduced earning capacity would be very short sighted.

See a solicitor - you’re probably entitled to much more

This. If he’s charging you for the house renovations, charge him back for the cost of childcare, the loss of career progression and the loss in any extras like pension contributions, investment growth and benefits that you lost while not working.

Two can play at that game.

Yeah, and then send a bill to him for 24/7 childcare for x number of years 😂

Don’t agree to anything like that. You were on maternity leave and then looking after your joint children. The starting point would be 50:50, but if your needs are greater due to the children you might end up with a larger split. And please remember you are also entitled to 50% of his pension and any savings you both have. See a solicitor.

50/50 all day long. Where was his share of the childcare? Absolutely no chance I'd be agreeing to anything less.

50:50

What’s listed the tenants in common? You usually specify the split there.

Assuming he agreed with you being a sahp then it's needs to be split equally. You both contributed - you allowed him to be able to work while sorting out the kids etc

Ha, he’s a joker isn’t he? You might actually be entitled to more, never mind 50/50. Do not agree to any split less than this. You were looking after your joint children, and you’re married, he’s trying to take the piss.

How dare he?! He paid for it my arse! You paid for it in lost earnings while caring for his children so enable him to keep earning. Don’t let him minimise your contribution like this.

50/50

You were married so it’s 50/50 split.

Where are you and the kids going to rehouse suitably? At what price? It’s all very well him wanting to buy you out but depending on where the kids are going to live and with whom (or will it be 50/50 shared care?) will determine who gets what % of the property.

@jumbojumbo the starting point in a divorce is 50/50 of everything including his pension and yours then if there's a disparity in income and children you'll probably be entitled to more than 50%but you need to talk to a solicitor find out what you are entitled to. Please don't let this man bully you out of what's rightfully yours

YABU to entertain the idea that he should be entitled to more than 50% of the house. You need to look at all the finances including house equity, pensions and earning potential. Presumably, having given up work to raise children, your pension is smaller and your earning potential is much less than his. He will have been building his career while you were enabling him to by taking care of the children.

As you have been the primary carer of the children, I assume you'll be the resident parent? In which case you need to house them, obviously. It might be in the children's best interests to stay in the family home - there are various factors to consider including nearby childcare/schools and support network of family and/or friends for you.

See https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/family-and-children/divorce-and-separation/sorting-out-your-finances-when-you-get-divorced
And consult a solicitor. You local citizens advice would be a good place to start as they're likely to be able to signpost you to free or low cost law clinics, solicitors offering a free or fixed fee initial consultation.

The cost of full time nursery is over £1000 a month so make sure you are billing him for that in return. The split should be 50/50.

You need to get legal advice then decide whether it is worth fighting, if he is going to be a dick about it then the legal costs of the battle could outweigh the increased amount you could get in a settlement if you go to court.

This. Very much this.

@jumbojumbo - you need to educate yourself.

• Wikivorce
• Divorce for Dummies or similar
• family solicitor websites

Don't walk into this blindly!

No your proposal is not fair.

It should be 50/50 or possibly more in your favour given loss of earnings due to providing childcare.

Yeah, I think he’s being reasonable here. I’d just ask him to send over a spreadsheet with the numbers on for you to review.

Meanwhile, I’d create a spreadsheet and calculate the cost of childcare that he owes you for the period you were out of work.

I’d then present him with the bill when he shares his. Hey, based on his logic it might even mean he owes you a bigger share.

It’s great he’s so open about fairness in the face of divorce. You hear so often how messy these things can become.

So if you are tenants in common the split will be set out in that legally and needs to be followed

if you mean joint tenants it is still 50/50

given you were on maternity leave he is talking rubbish

whst is your current earning capacity
other assets including pensions
ability to house

anyway get legal advice because he is going to try and screw yiu over

He can dream on.

What does your solicitor say?