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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Worried, will I manage on my own?

16 replies

Newlife2425 · 20/08/2025 08:32

Getting divorced. Been together 20 years. I instigated as very unhappy. Since primary school age children it became more apparent, my ex was complete manchild, no emotional and limited practical support. He expected sex when frankly I was exhausted and had zero interest and I was having to occasionally force myself just to shut him up. He acted shocked and didn’t agree/ accept when I ended it, said he had no idea despite my repeated requests for support. Now, some months on, trying to agree finances, I believe he has guilt tripped me. I have agreed he can knock off substantial amount that he already had in savings 20 years ago, when if we went to court, I’d get half of everything. I’ve agreed to give him half of my pension. I feel he’s being petty- I’m not allowed a penny more than the amount he has said he feels I’m entitled to. I’ve agreed 50/50 childcare as well so he doesn’t have to give me any maintainence. To be honest I just want out asap, I feel morally up there with mother Theresa as I could have pushed for (and exceeded in getting) more money. It seems the men always feel put out that the women is entitled to half of everything for their contribution with looking after the house and childcare (and in my case much of my wages also go towards household bills, while he earns a lot more, pays more towards bills and also has a vast surplus to save each month, so I haven’t exactly been getting a free ride). Everyone’s telling me I’m being too nice with the finances. Solicitor can’t advise as we haven’t gone official expensive route. I might be wrong but feel like he’s punishing me for daring to end the relationship with him. I work part time, will pick up more hours when kids are at high school/ a bit older as my job is very inflexible so would be difficult to currently increase even with children only 50% of time. I lived alone before meeting my husband and have been primary carer of children, have lived frugally many times (lived childhood in poverty) and don’t have many possessions/ expensive tastes and I can easily skip dinner to feed my children if required etc, so i’m not too worried about those aspects. I’m not doubting my decision to divorce, have not doubted that once, but I am still a bit worried, we have had some major disagreements/ arguments and i’m worried how the coparenting will work when you ideally need to be very cooperative with this level of shared care. I feel a shadow of my former self, am I being unreasonable to worry if I manage on my own?

OP posts:
Twothurty · 20/08/2025 08:50

Please don’t agree to anything without seeking professional advice.

You can also go back on what you have already agreed as you made those agreements without proper consideration.

I’m sorry you are going through this but well done for taking a stand and taking the first steps. Please do not give away more than you should due to misguided guilt over being the one to instigate getting your freedom.

Endofyear · 20/08/2025 08:54

I voted YABU because you have a choice here. Be sensible and get proper legal advice so that you get a fair settlement. You have no reason to feel guilty or allow him to pressure you to accept a bad deal for you and your children - in fact you have a responsibility to make sure that your children and you have the financial settlement that you are entitled to. Please get proper legal advice and go from there.

RandomMess · 20/08/2025 08:58

Why are you letting him screw his DC over by accepting a shitty financial agreement?

Have you even completed the financial declarations?

icouldholditwithacobweb · 20/08/2025 09:06

Get legal advice and make it a fair settlement. You are being way too giving, probably because you're worn down by years of struggle in this relationship.

Do the right thing for you and your children (which he decided to co-create), go to a divorce lawyer & get what you and your children are entitled to. He is going to continue taking the piss, he will not pay, he's taking what's yours while withholding what he sees as his...he is punishing you for having the audacity to leave. Do not take it.

Polly111 · 20/08/2025 09:07

I’m concerned that you work part time but you’re planning on giving him half your pension. Surely if he’s been working full time he’ll have more put away than you? When I split with my ex we agreed things between ourselves, but in your situation I think you need some advice/mediation on what’s fair. Also make sure you get the solicitor to draft a consent order as part of the divorce, as that makes what you've agreed between yourselves legal and ensures there’s no further claim later.

Shinyandnew1 · 20/08/2025 09:08

Half of your pension? Is he giving you half of his?

I would get legal advice asap.

Agix · 20/08/2025 09:11

For the love of God don't walk away and leave him with everything. It will impact your children and the rest of your life. Toy get no awards for being mother Theresa, no one cares for you being a martyr about it. The only result is your partner carries on fine, and you struggle with your children watching (even if it is only 50% of the time).

And you have a future partner, why should they absorb what you refused to get from your ex (when you're entitled to it)?

You're being selfish for the sake of being a martyr and looking good to... Who? Your ex? Red pill guys online? Come on. Be wiser.

dollyblue01 · 20/08/2025 09:13

Don’t go ahead with this until you’ve had legal advise , he’s trying to punish you why you are low, why should you have to suffer ? Get all your entitled to and stuff him , he ain’t going to be your Dp anymore anyway , so take what’s yours and stop being a martyr.

ShesTheAlbatross · 20/08/2025 09:18

Please tell me that by “half your pension” you mean both pensions are being added up and split in half? And not that he’s keeping his pension plus half of yours?

I don’t mean this to sound harsh, but you won’t benefit by being a martyr and complaining about what you’ve given him. Get some proper advice and get what you are entitled to!

Newlife2425 · 20/08/2025 09:24

Thanks for your messages, you are right I have been so worn down and this has made me a martyr. I do have solicitor to do consent order. We will split both our pensions. I will get a fairer settlement, but will also let him keep some of “his money” as I need to escape asap and this is the easiest way. As far as I’m concerned I’m getting enough. I think escaping him is far more important to be honest. Thanks again, I have been struggling so much but I’ll try to stop my martyrdom and crack on 😀.

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 20/08/2025 09:24

Minimum should be 50% of everything. Why are you putting your future in jaepordy by agreeing to anything less? Think of your children ... you need the money for them!

Twothurty · 20/08/2025 09:29

Meh! To his money! You have less money because you have adjusted your career to look after children. Yes he came into the relationship with more but you gave up more to raise a family. Swings and roundabouts.

Zempy · 20/08/2025 09:38

YABU to allow him to short change his DC this way. You will regret this when he’s remarried and pouring all his (your) money into someone else’s family.

Get tough and get a solicitor to get the best deal possible for you and the DC.

It really isn’t fair on your children for you to just shrug your shoulders and take the easy way out.

catsareace · 20/08/2025 09:47

I think you are crazy here to accept less than you are entitled to. I do understand doing it for an easier life though. My Ex wanted to give me what he thought was fair in regard to maintenance which was around 50% of the CMS calculator. I took him through the CMS in the end which he has never forgiven me for, he was so angry despite earning double. 9 years later and he did not attend our DD recent graduation as he didn't want to sit next to me. I was pleased!

bibliomania · 20/08/2025 10:01

You can pay for a session with a solicitor to talk through what's reasonable without committing yourself to going to court. It's true that legal costs can suck up a lot of the assets so you wouldn't necessarily end up better off with a very litigious approach, but if you walk through the options with a solicitor, at least you'll feel you've made an informed choice.

Littleredgoat · 20/08/2025 10:08

You've been strong enough to decide to leave. You've been strong enough to stick with that decision. You can hold it together for a few more months to get what you need to provide the best home for your children that you are able.

Get angry that he is trying to wear you down to do you out of what you need to provide for your kids. Use that anger to power you through another few months.

You can do this. You are doing it and the end is in sight.

Get a decent solicitor and get them to manage the conversations for you. Their fees may cost overall, but they will deliver you better value if your ex is being a prick

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