Marital home

[Lysco]

I lived in the marital home for 16 years, 2 prior to marriage and 14 years during marriage. The house belonged to him when we met and has remained in his sole name, as have other assets that he owned when we met. He and his solicitor say I’m not entitled to anything from any of the assets he owned when we met, including the marital home, as there are enough other assets from during the marriage for me to buy another house. We have 3 school aged children, which i looked after as stay at home mom, but I always kept a part time job too. When we split I moved out. He refused to give me any financial help and wanted the children 50:50. I agreed so that I could work more hours. I have now built up my salary to twice what it was. I am just about managing financially. His solicitor seems confident that I am not entitled to half of the marital home or other premarriage assets. Is this just hot air or is there some substance to that claim?

Do you have your own solicitor as that is who you need to be asking
There is a possibility that pre owned assets can be excluded, particularly if there are enough other assets that provide a ‘fair’ split on a needs basis - is your needs are met and it sounds like this could be the case
However, I’d be surprised if the marital home was excluded, especially in the case of what is considered a long marriage and you have been a sahm
It doesn’t matter that you’re name isn’t on it, it would still be a joint asset
Doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be entitled to 50% , but you may get more or less than that overall depending on total assets, needs and other factors

Assuming England, not Scotland, this is basically hot air from the solicitor who is (correctly) doing his best for his client.