Not fulfilling monthly financial commitments

[Sofie19]

Hi

Husband unexpectedly left a few months ago. He was the breadwinner and traditionally paid the bulk of the bills as I don't earn a lot.
He's removed his name from the utilities (I don't nly found out by getting statements) so I have picked these up. He's also saying he will "only" pay half of the mortgage. I cannot afford to pay half the mortgage especially on all of the increased utilities. I have not paid half in around 5 years, since we had the children. Month 1 he did pay the mortgage, month 2, he has paid in half. Is this normal behaviour? Am I expected to pay half or should he continue paying the bulk? My salary is slightly over enough for universal credit and his is 3 X mine.

Is it a huge mortgage? You will need to come to an agreement about money - how things are divided up. Going forward he will have to pay towards the children's costs, but necessarily your costs.
How much equity is in the property? What are his pensions like? How much do you both have in savings?
In the short term you may need to contribute half towards the mortgage if you can. Otherwise talk to him, he isn't going to want to default on it.

*not necessarily

He has left you and he only has limited financial responsibility for your living costs. In the future post divorce he most likely wont have any responsibility other than child support.

You are both still liable for the mortgage payment, until it is sold or you buy him out. Some people in his position don’t pay anything because they aren’t living there or have their own housing costs.

The utilities bills are yours as you are the one living in the house.

the things you can do are apply for child support and benefits to improve your income. After that you could seek interim support from him through mediation or as a court order. However you need to maximise your income. Your salary won’t be your income. And it is what is relevant in your negotiations for interim support and a future settlement.

where is he living now?

in the short term you need to agree who oats what as it’s unrealistic to just expect you to pick up all the bills / you might be able to get interim maintenance if needed.

longer term you’ll need to reach financial settlement which may involve selling the house. And as lemonTT states you’ll need to maximise your income, and also in claim for child maintenance

if it’s a joint mortgage you hold it as joint and several liability - meaning you are both liable for 100% if it .