divorce papers

[BrickMentor]

We have been married for 14 years and have six children. Two of them are living with her, and four are living with me. We were planning to move into the family home, which I decorated for her, but then she said she wanted a divorce.
I tried to reconcile with her for six months, but it was in vain. She has now sent me the divorce papers. The house I am living in is an inherited property. She has never lived in this house or contributed financially toward it.
The youngest child living with me is 7, and the oldest is 14. Do I have to sell the property or leave it? She is currently staying with her parents.
I am deeply saddened that she wants to leave me, and she is already seeing other men.
Please advise

Did you inherit it before you separated? That makes a difference. If you did then she is entitled to 50% of the value of it

Yes, I inherited the house before we separated. I spent £65,000 on the property before moving in. She is now asking to close the joint account, which currently has an unpaid overdraft. The overdraft is only a small amount, but she is adamant about having her name removed. She says it is affecting her credit file. We are currently going through divorce proceedings. should i remove her name?

How would you like the assets to be divided and have you made this offer yet?

We haven't discussed this recently, but previously it was proposed that I receive 40% and she receive 60%. I felt this was unfair, as she still lives with her parents and plans to inherit half of the house after their life interest—I believe she is included in their will. Since owning the property, I have paid for renovations costing £65,000 and covered mortgage payments of £80,000

You must see a solicitor. She is definitely entitled to a share of any equity but it doesn't always mean 50/50.
Where were you living prior to moving into your late parents house and where was she living? Did you not acru any asset's?
Don't remove her from the account yet, the overdraft is still a shared debt.
Any money spent on a solicitor will be money well spent if it means you hang onto your inheritance or negotiate a better split.

Thank you so much for your advice. She has never lived in the property I have been living there for about a year and a half with two of my children. She has never contributed to the mortgage or any other expenses. Once the house was nearly completed, she decided she wanted a divorce.

Unfortunately she is still entitled to a share of that property whether she paid into it or not as it is classed as a marital asset. As someone posted don't remove her name. I would suggest you seek legal advice and that you look at all the assets you have accumulated over the years you were together but as she is living with parents and has 2 of the children the court may see it fit for her to have the higher portion as you have a house where the four children reside. It's not easy to say you will have X amount and she will have y amount as the court will make the final decision.
But if the joint account debt was accumulated while you were still together you are both liable as well as if her name is on the mortgage you are both liable if one cannot pay.
I hope that helps

Thank you for your reply. She is currently suggesting a 50:50 split of the property, with the two children staying with me in the house. She is refusing to contribute towards the renovation costs, which are approximately £75,000. There was a mortgage of £80,000, which I have already paid off. However, she placed a caveat on the property, preventing me from remortgaging, so I am now stuck with £75,000 of debt in my name.

@Nearly50omg sorry to jump on this. How does it work with any future inheritance received say 5+ years after divorce. (Short 2.5 year marriages no kids no joint assets.) thanks