I want to separate from DP. We've been together for 13 years and have had a mortgage together for 8. I contributed to the mortgage before the DC, paid it alone while DP went overseas to re-train and invested thousands of pounds given by a family member into the renovation. There is about £45k equity. We have two DC. The youngest started school in Sept. I've got a job starting in Jan and if we separated, I would be able to afford the repayments.
I want to stay in the house because 1) the kids will be very upset if they have to move out. 2)rental around here is expensive and I would end up having to spend the equity on rental until it ran out and I would then claim housing benefit. 3) I dont think I will be able to get a new mortgage until I have worked in my new job for over 6 months.
DP has said that if we split up he will want to sell the house so he can re-invest. If I dont agree I know it will go to court. I was told today on an advice line that it would probably go in his favour if we did that. Is there anything I can do to stop this for a few years at least until the kids are a bit older and I have chance of getting my own mortgage?