Just discovered "d"h has run up debts in joint names. Where do I go from here?

[feelingvunerable]

After months of messing me about saying he wanted to leave, then declaring undenying love for me, dh left 2 weeks ago.

He was deceitful and it turns out there is ow, though he is denying it saying they only started seeing each other after we split.

I know he is overdrawn and has credit cards in his sole name.

Part of the problem in our marriage was h couldn't stop going out spending money.
He has taken all bills etc including all details about our mortgage whcich he pays from his sole account.

Today i went to the bank to check the status of our mortgage and discovered that he has run up debts against it of £21,ooo. This is accruing monthly interest.

I had absolutely no idea.

As yet I don't have a solicitor, was intending waiting as there is so much I need to get togther as he is being difficult over everything, and I need to think carefully about what to ask in the initial free half hour.

If I can prove the spending was entirely his, then am I still liable to pay it back?

It won't matter that he did all the spending, because it could have been with your permission.

You'll need to prove that you did not give him permission to run up the debts, and knew nothing about it. Basically, you'll probably have to start legal proceedings against him for fraud, and if successful, you won't need to pay back the extra money he spent. You'll still owe any joint spending you did consent too, such as the actual mortgage.

I'd see a solicitor ASAP, because you need to move fast now that you know about this. It's probably worth bearing in mind that divorces can be complex enough, and with this added, you may need more than half an hour.

Thanks Caja.

I'm on tablets and off work with the stress of it all without this added crap. The doctor advised me not to make any decisions as yet although I understand this is bloody urgent.
The bank have cancelled the cards and advised me to talk to him, but where the hell do I start. He has lied about lots of things.

I have made an appointment with a solicitor.

I cannot believe the bank has allowed this amount of spending, and he has managed to hide it from me.

Thanks for the advice.

Can you ask the bank for copies of th e loan agreements. He could have forged your signature for example - in which case you will need to decide whether to go to the police.

Be prepared though for the police not to take any complaint you make seriously. You are not the victim here. The bank is. You would have to tell what you know to the bank(s) and let them deal with it.

As babybarrister says, you need to take some proper legal advice. On divorce a judge can sort all these issues out.