Financial settlement - contents of house

[AltheaVestr1t]

I'm currently preparing to leave STBXH and I'm in the process of finding a rental. Married for 9 years, together for 22. Two children, one at Uni, one DD age 12 who will be 50/50 after I move out. Both high earners, his salary approx 50% more than mine.

I don't want to dismantle the house because it will be unsettling for the kids and because I don't want to get into an emotional bickering with OH about furniture. And, to be honest, because I've been mentally saying goodbye to the house and it's contents for some time now, and I don't really want it. OH doesn't want me to remove things from the house either.

Financial settlement will not be discussed until STBXH has figured out if he can afford the mortgage on his own, so some months down the line. I'll be leaving with half the debt but none of the assets, none of the contents of the house, and without the car (I don't drive).

Setting myself up will obviously be costly, including deposit, fees and furniture.

How do ensure that the value of what I've left behind is taken into account in the financial settlement? It's a large 4 bed detached, so I think the accumulative value of the contents is significant, OH thinks it's negligible. I imagine the truth is somewhere in the middle.

Also, I feel that, as my equity is in the house and OH doesn't want to sell, my setting up costs should be shared. STBXH does not agree.

If anyone has any insight on these things, I'd be grateful to hear it.

My lawyer advised agreeing on a set up home amount from joint money for the person leaving the family home.

Exh refused, so I ended up leaving with nothing and compiling an excel file of the house contents from memory with second hand values.

The total (it adds up quickly as you rightly say) was counted as part of his share of the assets.

Don't forget to include everything, even ironing boards, bins etc can be 5-10 pounds to buy second hand and it all adds up.

I'd go round when you're alone in the house and catalogue all the items, including small things like paintings, dishes, towels etc. The FMH contents will be assigned a value in the divorce and could be significant. I'd count big items at like for like replacement value not as new.

Stbxh moved out first, we divided the bigger items so we both had to buy some big items of furniture, some electical and.whitegoos. I divided up smaller things like linen and towels and dishes. I'd give him more of other things in the house but he doesn't want them.

This is great advice, thank you. Sounds like a lot of work, but I have a month or so before I leave so plenty of time!

This is something I've been wondering about too. I cant quite remember what my solicitor said but I think you can do essential buying and claim it back from assets before division (please check though!) Ie needing a washing machine, fridge freezer, beds, bedding, hoover, pots and pans, crockery, cutlery etc. So it would be mid to low range cost is fine but not miele or le cruset brands (unless you are leaving those behind).

I think most insurers say the average household needs approximately £50,000 contents cover, that is a heck of a large amount to ignore. Take pictures of all rooms and inside cupboards and sheds and start googling every evening instead of mumsnet (just kidding). Even basic but good quality gardening equipment can add up.

I didn't get anything from the house. Ex said I could have stuff, but then wouldn't allow me to actually collect it 😞 Twat. He then berated me for not collecting it. More twattishness.

He did give some stuff to adult DC though. I had to start from scratch.

Have you gone through the financial settlement? Did this figure as part of the calculation?