Sorry it's long and probably not v coherent either.
My partner's ex (separated 11 years ago) is now blocking the final order that completes their divorce. He is due to apply for the final order in a few weeks so it has come as a massive shock as she has cooperated up to now.
She applied for a financial order soon after agreeing to the divorce, and they went through mediation but this was not successful. The mediator was so inept that the info they had supplied went out of date before they got to discussing any settlement and they were faced with starting it all from scratch, £600 wasted, so partner decided not to continue with it. Cue solicitor's letter, it's going to court. Ex has refused to communicate with him directly or even say what financial settlement she wants.
All the marital assets were given to her a long time ago, partner took nothing at all, he paid off her personal debts by taking a loan out, carried on paying mortgage for several years then transferred the marital home to her. He thinks she is doing the financial claim to claim his pension, as he has nothing else, but not sure as she will not tell him. For all I know she could be claiming on the equity we have in our home as well which will be a disaster.
Her solicitor says the final order will prejudice her financial claim so they are applying to the court to block it. (This despite post divorce claims being allowed so not sure what disadvantage this could refer to)
There has never been a significant disparity of earnings and neither of them have any assets to speak of apart from her equity in their former home and his equity in the home we share. Plus both will have pensions. He's said he wants nothing off her but surely that is not tenable if she's claiming off him. She was financially reckless during their marriage and he is pretty sure she's cohabiting too but keeping it a secret.
It seems absolutely appalling that she can force him to remain married to her for an indefinite period of time. From talking to others it can take years to get a pension sharing order implemented and cost thousands in reports (which he will have to pay for) as it's a public sector one, so there is no pot to divide. He is no longer contributing to it anyway as he has now left that employer. About 10 years contributions in total. Our mortgage will run until we are in our seventies so he needs his pension to pay it. Would the court take that into account or is it just tough? His ex's mortgage is much smaller and would be paid off much sooner.
Can he object to the blocking of the final order or will the court wave it through? He can't afford a solicitor and has been DIY up to now. I am worried he'll do something rash as it has really upset him. She has literally had everything off him.
Talking to him about it, what happened to him during the marriage would now be called financial abuse. He gave her everything just to get away. To not be able to divorce at this stage is just cruel. I am really worried about him.
Any advice would be appreciated.