Living together for the whole 6 months

[Bakingmomma101]

Hi!
we have just sent off our divorce forms and I’m now going to get a solicitor. At my free advice appointment I got the idea (and could be wrong) that I can’t/shouldn’t put the house on the market until the financial order is fully official … does this mean that it’ll be the full 6 months of the divorce process until we can put the house up for sale? Hope this is making sense. I want to get the ball rolling as soon as I can - I’m finding it really difficult living with him and worry it’s confusing for our two children. But he won’t move out and I don’t think it’s fair me and the two children having to leave. Just to make it clear we are being civil and it’s manageable but can’t bear the thought of 6 months of this awkward and strange vibe. I want to move on with my life and try and heal from all the things he did to make the divorce our only option.

can anyone explain their experience with selling the family home; the divorce process; and how long it all took? I know it’s 6 months minimum but I’m terrified and no idea what to expect. Thanks x

Is he happy to sell or does he want to buy you out?

Happy to sell. He wouldn’t afford the mortgage increase if he was to buy me out x

The issue you have is that what do you do with the money from the sale until and unless you have agreed the split. And a judge has signed it off.

If you sold the house tomorrow you have two options. One is to split it how you both want. This needs agreement but let’s assume you decide 50:50 because that is easy to agree and convenient. Off you both pop to spend this money. Maybe on a house or rent. Later you begin to look at the finances and realise you should have gotten 70% of the equity. Only now he has spent it.

The other option is that it held by a solicitor until you reach agreement. This could take months before a judge signs it off. In the meantime you have no money and nowhere to live. At best you are in the same position as you are now. Needing to rent whilst he lives in the house and pays the mortgage.

If you have a really good idea about where your settlement will land and there isn’t going to be any contention you can sell and split the money that way. But there is risk in this. And he might not agree.