I don't know how much more I can take

[Toomuchwine89]

I'm in a refuge with six children and have been for 5 months.

My savings have gone from 13k to almost zero. Mostly spent on legal fees due to bad advice. I'm now fighting to get legal aid but again, bad advice has led to delays.

Private rentals won't even consider me and the queue for social housing is long. The council won't let us move to anything smaller than a 4 bed, which are like gold dust. My 14 year old autistic boy is sharing a bedroom with his 11 year old sister. Me and all of the other children share a bedroom.

I'd happily move/live anywhere, but my ex applied to court for a prohibited steps order so that I can't.

He also applied for contact. The judge was going to order no contact for now but I stupidly felt bad so I agreed to indirect contact. I'm now charged by the solicitor every time she rings or emails me about this, every time he drops things off, every time there's some issue with his timing.

Ex can't bear not being able to control me anymore. He still "wants me back". He loves his children so much apparently... But he's happy to live by himself in a large 5 bedroom house in a lovely village, where their school is, where their friends are. I've had to give up my pets, my small business, my home, all my things.

The refuge is okay but it's in a rough town. I still felt very safe until the other night, when my car was almost stolen. I didn't realise the spare key was in there and they took it so I've been staying up until stupid o clock to watch over the car until I could get the key sorted.

The secondary school bus was free from the village and I walked the little ones to school and nursery, but now I'm spending a fortune on fuel and the older ones' bus.

It feels like I'm in a never ending nightmare.

On a practical basis, have you asked the council about support with transport to school?

It sounds very difficult, OP, you have my sympathies.

Are you married and is the house jointly owned?

Are the children all belonging to your ex? Is he paying maintenance.

We are married, we bought the house together but it's all in his name, although I have registered for home rights.

Youngest two are ex's. He is paying maintenance. I applied through the CMS.

There's no council help for the school due to the distance, but the older ones' school has agreed to pay for the bus until July

Are you n England?

Have you started divorce proceedings? That house is likely a marital asset so doesn’t matter that it’s in his name, it’s half yours.

Not sure about your council but most won’t house you if you’re already a homeowner.

Yes England. He filed for divorce, then two weeks later said he wanted to stop the divorce and reconcile. God knows if he's still doing it. I don't care about the equity tbh. It's going to be a PITA if I ever get it because I won't be able to get benefits anymore so it'll all go on rent and bills.

The council aren't bothered about the house. There's not a lot I can do about it.