Hi, I’m desperately after some advice, I just don’t know what to do anymore and cannot cope with the stress of it all!! Please, please, please if you can spare the time to read and offer any advice, I’d be so so very grateful….
I have two main issues which I’m really struggling with, in terms of seeing it out of the other side of this situation 1) housing and 2) co-parenting struggles.
1)with the housing issue, X wants the family home sold (I’m fine with this, I don’t earn enough to buy him out or to take on the mortgage,
I currently pay the whole mortgage - he has refused to pay and it’s getting me into terrible debt, so I want/need out ASAP). He is not interested in buying me out and he is adamant he is taking 50% of the equity -
minimal. I desperately need more than 50% equity if I have any chance of buying somewhere, which would ultimately be a 1/2 bed flat (far from ideal), but my solicitors seem to be charging me a fortune (spent all savings on fees) and it feels like there’s no light at the end of this tunnel in them getting me a better deal. My problem is I can’t afford rent for a 3 bed where we live, rent alone would take up 75% of my monthly earnings, and I pay all the childcare costs myself and I’m having to fight to get maintenance (I have the children 80% of the time). I have no friends or family who can let all 4 of us move in with them, and because of the equity from the house sale I wouldn’t be entitled to council housing. I’m hoping that I could be eligible for a mortgage on a 2 bed flat and that the monthly repayments would be less than £1500pcm. I’ve looked at moving to a cheaper area but we have 3 children, 2 are settled at school and I really don’t want to turn their lives upside down any more by moving them, I also have family support once a week which allows me to commute to work - mandatory to my employment contract. Moving away would take that away because it would need to be a good 1hrs drive to bring the cost down and then that would take away my family support and put even more pressure on my commute (train delays, childcare collection windows, costs etc). Has anyone been in this situation and has a magic answer on how to fix this??? I’m running out of borrowing facilities and the debt is spiralling… Please…..
2)wow… co-parenting, I knew it would be difficult but this is something else. X changes his agreed days all the time; I’m trying to be flexible because I know I will need that flexibility myself at some point. X turns up at different times and moves collection/drop of times as and when feels like it. X also refuses to have children when sick and on “assigned days”,
if it’s half term, will want to collect at 10am, leaving me to struggle and juggle work until he arrives. X currently lives free with parents, and has collated childcare days with brother (who lives separately but moves into parents house on days he has his own children) this is to make sure all children are looked after together between them… X then refuses to take our children to their clubs on his weekends (clubs they’ve been doing for years) and X let’s brother co-sleep with our children (I’m furious - I challenge this but it’s always “a lie” from our children who end up being called names by him for telling tale’s). X has now started refusing to contribute financially to the costs of children’s clubs… X earns on average £150k net per year vs my £22k net (I gave up career to raise children). X will sometimes only see children for 15mins on his allotted days, which I feel is really unfair on them and confusing, X will also tell me he is taking me to court for not enough access but then not want the children when they have to be closely watched due to an accident that happened under his care. X also takes my clothes for the children and doesn’t give them back to me, brings them home so exhausted due to constant late nights, and refuses to do any homework. I feel as though I’m getting a real rough deal financially struggling SO much (I cannot explain how much it stresses me out) and also such a hard time with lack of intention to honestly co-parent and put children’s needs/ routine first and just so disrespectful.
How can I get this to change?
Thanks for taking the time to read and any advice is really appreciated… I’m going out of my mind.
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Divorce/separation
Desperately struggling with divorce
Mummyof320 · 23/03/2024 22:48
Strictlyfan74 · 23/03/2024 23:23
OP this is terrible and grossly unfair on both counts. He is having a laugh!!
Please get some advice, start with Citizens Advice for your rights, you may be entitled to legal aid, or you can speak to most solicitors for a free 30 mins. Your current ones sound rubbish. Starting point in law is 50/50 for finances but this will be adjusted due to the housing needs of your children. You may even need a Mesher Order to stay in your home til your children are 18? He will be required to pay you via CMS due to the difference in salaries, he is in for a nasty shock. You need to come up with a parenting plan, and set your boundaries in the best interests of the children depending on their ages. Again please get some advice.
I seriously can’t believe how some people can do this to their former spouse/children, it’s disgusting. He can’t have things his own way and the way you are getting into debt is not right. Stay strong and don’t be bullied.
millymollymoomoo · 24/03/2024 07:20
Put a claim in for cms
put a claim in for interim /ancillary refluxed ( maintenance)
tell your solicitor to stop messing around and get this to court asap
you would get higher than 50% equity- what about pensions too?
Jonathan70 · 24/03/2024 08:22
Agree with @millymollymoomoo
Immediately apply via CMS which will allow you to cover your bills, help pay your debts and fees, and file to go to Court. You will get more than 50%. All the assets and debts will be considered. Call the mortgage company and ask for help - quote the mortgage charter, they can put you on interest only for a bit or give you a mortgage holiday, or something to help - explain the situation. He is affecting his own credit score behaving like this if the mortgage is held jointly.
A child arrangements order will outline an agreement he has to stick to. Act like you mean business. Put some boundaries in place. Best wishes.
LemonTT · 24/03/2024 09:15
The two obvious ways to bolster your income are CMS and UC. Have you put in claims for these? If not, do it. I think with his income you might only get the ceiling and you will have to litigate but get this done.
Have you had mediation yet and are you going to have it ?
As pointed out you the income disparity and the ages of the children will drive up your needs. Which means there won’t be a 50:50 split.
Your priorities need to be a child arrangement order and the divorce. The child support probably needs to be agreed within this. Ask your solicitor about interim support - going interest only is also an option but it comes at a cost.
Focus on what you can control not what he is doing as a parent. Unless there are provable safeguarding issues you are pouring mental energy into the wrong things.
A mesher order wouldn’t be unheard of in your situation for a few years. I would certainly wave the option around to get him focused on the reality of the situation. But it’s sticking plaster if you don’t have a plan to improve your income to become independent.
WombTangClan · 24/03/2024 09:57
Check any benefits entitlement too now you are living separately
bevelino · 24/03/2024 09:22
The DH is well aware that he will be required to pay maintenance and ensure that his children have a roof over their heads. He is behaving in a completely unacceptable way to punish OP over the divorce and the fact that he will be made to pay. He should be ashamed.
OP, can you and dh, have mediation to help resolve his anger and behaviour towards you.
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