Separated in 2015 with 3 children. I left the family home. He stayed in it. He sold last year as he couldn't afford to pay his mortgage so I let him lodge at ours.
He sold for 450K and I think there was around 100K mortgage left. He gave me 40K to give back to my mum (I'd borrowed from her to get my place for the kids) and 40K to put in savings.
He took the rest for himself along with the proceeds of another house he sold a few years ago (his before we married but had during).
I've just started divorce proceedings and asked him to find his own place on advice of solicitor but he's said he can't leave until he gets his money back. He would have had around 220 K left at least in cash.
I left with nothing 2015 and he was on a good income. He gave up work a few years ago to do trading online.
He's been living here with me working full time and paying all the bills (including his). He does give some money for the kids monthly but I've nothing to fall back on if I give him back the money.
My net income is 1700 pcm even though I work f/t.
He gave up his job in 2017/18 to day trade from home and that's what he's been doing since and has been for the last year. I have no idea what his finances are now.
Do I give him back some/ all of the money for him to move out or wait for a financial order later on?
He seems to think I should give everything back to him but obviously, some of that money is no longer available.
I'm trying not to rack up bills with the solicitor but he's adamant now he wants it back in order to move out.
I know I made a huge mistake not divorcing years ago ( I didn't have the money or the backbone).
I know I made a huge mistake letting him back thinking he could have changed and we'd be better off as a family.
I tried mediation some years ago but he pulled out the day before.