Unmarried mum needs help and advice

[Hackers79]

Hello,

I am unmarried and have a 4 yr old daughter with my parter. We have separated, but jointly own a home together. We have joint mortgage and we are both on deeds.

He wants to sell the house, so he can get his money and buy somewhere else. My daughter just about to start school. Do I have any rights to stay in the house or do I have to just sell?

Although I could pay mortgage on my own currently, I couldn't take the mortgage on myself has it would need to increase to release his share.

Despite being devastated about the whole situation, I'm not panicking.

I know I'm going to have to go to solicitor, but if anyone has any valuable advice or find themselves in the same situation, please do reply.

Thank you.

Do you want to stay in the house or would it be easier to sell and buy somewhere else? Is your ex paying maintenance?

I'd like to stay in the house for my daughters sake. I'm quite shaken by the split and feel very sad. I want to give her stability and I want her to know where home is. I know children move every day, but we have a nice house and on my own I'd have to move into a flat most probably. If I were on my own I wouldn't think twice and I'd start a fresh, but I just want to try and keep her life going as it is. Hope that makes sense.

Maintenance is difficult issue. Basically we had a previous flat together. We sold it and made profit. However that was sort of his money because although we jointly lived there and were both on mortgage, the only reason we could afford it was because his mum passed away, so it's his inheritance really. Anyhow, he gave me a pot to cover mortgage in the meantime so I haven't questioned the whole maintenance thing as I find it confusing and don't want to strain matter because he hasn't left me high and dry so to speak.

Do you have any knowledge in this area about being forced to sell?
Thanks

If you both own the property and you don't want to sell, he'd have to get a court order to force the sale. That can cost money and, ultimately, he'd probably be successful - after all, his name on the mortgage could prevent him from purchasing another property. However, the court will take into account your needs so may well give you time to make alternative arrangements.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I think I have to seek legal advice because we clearly can't sort it between ourselves.