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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

My husband wants to divorce me because I need to move with the children

149 replies

Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 10:41

I'd like everyone's honest opinion on my situation at the moment. I am a revert. I have been married for 4 years now. I have two children, my eldest is 4 with autism and my youngest is 2. We have been staying at my in-laws house for 4 years as well. We have been having no luck finding a home here with our local council so it has put a massive strain on our marriage. Long story short living with his inlaws has not been easy whatsoever in regards to privacy and his mother not being the kindest at times. My husbands mother can sometimes be overbearing and controlling especially when it comes to what I do with my children then from that how I wash my own clothes, to what I can and cannot wear and even gets involved in our arguments… but I have been patient hoping we would find a home soon. my husband will always defend her even when she is wrong. I pay for everything me and my children need while my husband pays his mother’s rent instead of finding us a home. He’s an estate agent and has earned up to £45,000 this year.

However he kept his earnings a secret from me knowing he could have rented us a home this whole time….instead he insisted we wait on the council list as he ‘can’t afford to rent a home’ .There's even been times when I haven't had enough to do a food shop for my children...when I ask my husband to provide this he will turn round and ask me to pay the money back after he has 'lent it to me'. He lends his friends and family money with the highest amount coming to £2000 and doesn’t pester them for any of it back, but instead will hound me to pay back £100 for his children to eat throughout the weeks.

I’ve had enough of waiting for a home so I have decided to move back near my family which live an hour and a half away where I know I will be housed. He has told me if I do so he will divorce me and end up hating me. We have been staying in the same room for four years now, whilst sharing the same bed together with my two young children. I cannot continue to live like this…it will take a long while for us to find a home here, and the fact that he could have done something about our situation a long time ago really makes me angry. I hate the fact that I have to live in a bedroom with our children. He seems to think it’s okay to wait another year or so to be housed even it means our autistic child won’t get the support he needs in this city.

I have also found out my eldest child with autism will have no chance of receiving an ECHP and 1:1 here in the city we are living in, we have better chances moving back near my family as the school are much better there and I can finally give my children a home and their own room. I want my children to have the opportunities they deserve.

on top of all this my son is in and out of hospital and having antibiotics for his respiratory issues as he’s struggling to breath. I believe this is due to the mould in our bedroom…if all these factors combined isn’t enough reason for us to find a new home then I don’t know what is!

My husband is refusing to move with us as his business is in this city and will not listen to reason. He told me if I move with our children I am ‘taking them away’ from him. He refuses to commute as it wastes his time. He thinks I am wrong for this, and that staying in his mother’s house is the only solution.

My mental health has deteriorated, I have no privacy as a woman living with not only his mother but that also includes his two brothers. I’m worried about my children…. I am always walking in egg shells living here and I’ve had enough. What do I do?

OP posts:
NewGreenDuck · 18/12/2024 11:53

Leave. He is abusive. His general behaviour is appalling. You would be better off without him.
I feel angry on your behalf that this complete tosser has treated you so badly.

Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 11:54

ginasevern · 18/12/2024 11:46

This is not unusual in Muslim households. The daughter in law is the last in the pecking order and is often expected to cook and clean for the rest of the family.

The mother in law "supervises" her and will always come first in the man's devotion, above his wife. Starving your children is definitely not cultural though.

Yes there’s been times in the past when he used to hit me. Once I was on the floor and his mother in law walked into my bedroom and shouted at me about why I was crying…. Let’s just say there’s a lot of things I will never forget nor forgive. I’m excited to start this next chapter of my life

OP posts:
Lavender14 · 18/12/2024 11:54

So op what you've just described there is financial abuse. Leave him, get support from womens aid and move back near your family where you have support and absolutely divorce him and make sure you take as many records as you can of proof of his earnings to provide to cms. Womens aid will be able to help you with housing given the abuse you're experiencing where you're currently living and you will get points for that as well.

What a bastard.

MadinMarch · 18/12/2024 11:54

Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 11:31

I did try to leave before when he threatened to kill me so I grabbed all the documents I could find and I left with my kids. Long story short he manipulated me and sold me a dream of how he would change and we would find a home to support our family. A year later I’m back in the same position. I only held on this long so I could try and keep my kids father in their life and give them a ‘normal’ life with their dad but he just absolutely could not give a damn. Even now he’s still trying to blackmail me, bribe me and whatnot but it’s time to go. My mother is coming this Saturday to come and help me move my stuff and bring the kids :)

I wouldn't breathe a word to your husband about leaving on Saturday. Tell him you're going out shopping with the kids and your mum and just don't go back.
Any documents you need to take with you, post them to your mum's home before Saturday. Consider asking the police ( before Saturday)to come to the house while you pack a few things for you and the kids and leave. He's not just going to let you just walk away with the kids without getting very nasty.

NewGreenDuck · 18/12/2024 11:56

And I've just read that you married in a nikkah ceremony. Which to me is one of these 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 11:56

ClicketyClickPlusOne · 18/12/2024 11:39

WELL DONE OP, I am so glad you are leaving.

He threatened to kill you???

On no account consider that he should come with you. Divorce, divorce, divorce.

Breathe, and don’t look back.

Will you have help from your family to actually move? Do not be alone with him and his family, leaving is a dangerous moment for women leaving an abusive man.

Given his previous threat, if in doubt ask the police / women’s aid for advice.

Don’t mean to alarm you, it’s great that your family are there with open arms.

My mother is supposed to meet me on Saturday morning at the train station to help me bring my luggage and help with the boys. My eldest with autism can be quite dangerous if someone isn’t there to hold his hand and guide him. I’m more worried when his mother sees me with my suitcases and starts to question me and get involved…..i doubt it’s going to be a stress free encounter

OP posts:
User37482 · 18/12/2024 11:58

He’s not going to change Op, he is truly horrible. Once you and your children are out of the house you will be able to breathe and live as you should. Don’t wait for him to ask for a divorce, start the process yourself. Also if he’s been violent before I would notify the police just in case he comes around but I would just leave and not tell him where you are off to. I can’t believe he badgers you for money for a grocery shop. He’s truly awful.

Keep us updated OP, I really wish you the best, but you MUST leave. This is not going to get any better.

User37482 · 18/12/2024 12:00

You didn’t have a civil wedding? Is he on the kids birth certificate? In a way this make it easier for you if you don’t have to obtain a legal divorce. I’m not sure how you get about obtaining a religious divorce but theres a muslim mumsnetters section you can ask about making that process as easy as possible.

Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 12:00

CautiousLurker01 · 18/12/2024 11:40

Are you a British citizen/passport holder I think was the question? We’re trying to ascertain what your legal rights are as the mum of, presumably, British children? Do they have passports? (If not, as other PPs have said, apply for one immediately and have them stored somewhere safe, as this will prevent him from being able to remove them from the UK). Is your husband a Bengali citizen with UK residency or a British citizen of Bengali heritage?

Yes I am a British citizen. I was born in Bedfordshire. I have never had a passport my whole entire life. My children do not currently have passports yet. And I think he would be a British citizen? He came to the country when he was three so not sure how it works x

OP posts:
sheldonRockz · 18/12/2024 12:08

OP, have you managed to speak to women’s aid.

Given your description of homelife, i’m worried for your safety when you leave.
Is there any chance you could just take the essentials you can’t live without and each have a backpack and just sneak out with the children, or a trusted friend who could pick you up from the house? Leave anything you don’t need as you can eventually replace possessions, you can’t replace your life though!

BellissimoGecko · 18/12/2024 12:09

BFG2023 · 18/12/2024 10:44

You leave and return to the support of your family.

This.

Jaxhog · 18/12/2024 12:09

As everyone says here, you should leave. Best of luck!

Rowen32 · 18/12/2024 12:11

I don't know you OP and I'm proud of you.

Do you need a police officer to be there on Saturday morning?

Washingduvets · 18/12/2024 12:12

Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 11:52

We are married Islamically so it’s not recognised in the uk x

You won't be entitled to anything except maybe child support. It will be very easy for him to avoid paying though. Is he on the birth certificates?

LurkyMcLurkinson · 18/12/2024 12:14

If your husband wants to separate then you should take the opportunity and run at the earliest opportunity. He is a text book abuser who is very unlikely to change, especially when he lives with people who seem to condone his behaviour. Please take a look at the image to better understand how he might have been abusive to you in other ways you might not have already mentioned. Having a life from from abuse, close to personal and professional support (like an ehcp plan) will only benefit you and your children. I’m very glad you have a plan to leave. Please don’t hesitate to call the police if there are any attempts to prevent you from doing so.

My husband wants to divorce me because I need to move with the children
Amaranthasweetandfair · 18/12/2024 12:16

This is a no-brainer. Move.

Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 12:20

sheldonRockz · 18/12/2024 12:08

OP, have you managed to speak to women’s aid.

Given your description of homelife, i’m worried for your safety when you leave.
Is there any chance you could just take the essentials you can’t live without and each have a backpack and just sneak out with the children, or a trusted friend who could pick you up from the house? Leave anything you don’t need as you can eventually replace possessions, you can’t replace your life though!

I wish I could leave right now but my youngest is not very well with his breathing issues atm. We got home from hospital early hours of this morning. The only way I can go is by train as paying £100-200 for a cab is so expensive and I do not have the funds atm. And thank you for seeking advice for me! I’m looking through these comments including yours and for the first time in forever I feel empowered. Thank you so much

OP posts:
sunshinesky · 18/12/2024 12:20

He’s abusive to you and your children and has threatened to kill you. Please contact Women’s Aid for support to make sure you can leave safely. Good luck

Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 12:20

Washingduvets · 18/12/2024 12:12

You won't be entitled to anything except maybe child support. It will be very easy for him to avoid paying though. Is he on the birth certificates?

Yes he’s onn the birth certificates x

OP posts:
Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 12:22

Rowen32 · 18/12/2024 12:11

I don't know you OP and I'm proud of you.

Do you need a police officer to be there on Saturday morning?

Thank you ! 🥺 and hopefully not but I’ve been reading through all the comments and I’m going to do my research and call around for women’s aid etc, and I will ask if any family members can pick me up in a car x

OP posts:
NobleWashedLinen · 18/12/2024 12:29

Leave

He doesn't love you. He never has.

Get the divorce process kicked off and update your housing application to reflect that you have literally nowhere to sleep because you clearly can't share a bed with this arsehole any longer. Even a temporary hostel room would be better than this.

Get your CSA application in too.

ClicketyClickPlusOne · 18/12/2024 12:29

You absolutely must have someone with you to leave the house.

Google Domestic Abuse and the name of your borough / town / county. You may be able to get support. Your local police should have a specialist team : tell them that he has previously hit you and threatened to kill you and you need them to help you leave.

You will not be able to get out of the house on your own with luggage and kids, against MIL and any BILs who may be present. And they will immediately call your ‘H’.

ThankGodForDancingFruit · 18/12/2024 12:31

Bedofnettles · 18/12/2024 12:22

Thank you ! 🥺 and hopefully not but I’ve been reading through all the comments and I’m going to do my research and call around for women’s aid etc, and I will ask if any family members can pick me up in a car x

OP, you have made the right decision. You deserve to be treated with respect and kindness as a bare minimum! And you are a brilliant Mum for recognising your children also deserve better.

But I am really concerned for you and your children’s safety and wellbeing. A lot can change between now and Saturday, and your husband - perpetrator of abuse - may detect changes in your behaviour and become increasingly aggressive.

The police and local domestic abuse service can help you leave, don’t worry about money. If you need a plan, take your child to hospital (take the other with you, do not leave with family) citing breathing concerns and disclose the abuse to staff. Many hospitals now have a domestic violence advisor in house, or at the very least, strong links to them.

Don’t wait! You can be free today x

Moonshine5 · 18/12/2024 12:40

You don't need any more reasons. Take yourself and your children to a healthy safe space (near the family).
Let him and his mother live together. He sounds like a terrible husband and father

Moonshine5 · 18/12/2024 12:40

Good luck

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