Hi all - just after an emotional hand hold/support/some hope for an end to it!
My ex walked out 4 years ago after years of emotional and financial abuse and pretty quickly moved on with a new live in girlfriend. I tried to keep it amicable for 2 years and never asked for financial support for our 2 teens as I’d been the sole breadwinner for years anyway, and didn’t really need it at the time, then after 24 months he issued a divorce petition unilaterally and with no discussion.
I have really struggled with the forms, dealing with solicitors and so on and he has become increasingly hostile and now has a vile aggressive solicitor who is going after all my assets and asking for more and more intrusive information about my spending etc. I have always earned and paid for everything and had an inheritance which paid the entire mortgage, then he inherited a flat and a lot of money before we split (I never saw a penny of this) but still wants to take half my house and my pension. He is also avoiding mediation and trying to force me to court.
Whereas I was managing financially before I’ve had a few health and other setbacks and am suffering from stress meaning I can only work part time at the moment - though my job is demanding and stressful and I do god knows how much unpaid overtime just to keep up. The solicitor fees alone are utterly breaking me and after being financially careful all my life I now feel like my whole future is being taken out of my hands. His girlfriend has her own house and income and his family are wealthy whereas I am totally alone and trying to support my adult kids through education and travel. Our relationship is now so hostile we don’t speak.
I am so stressed I get panic attacks every time I get a solicitor letter and I really don’t understand how anyone can afford their rates. By dragging it out endlessly he is costing me a fortune and I’m not eating or sleeping and wake up every single day in a state of anxiety
Please can anyone tell me it gets better?