Can anyone help with house purchase while separated?

[TowerOfJoy]

I'm currently separated from DH and looking in to buying my first house. Can anyone advise if I need to get some sort of separation financial agreement in place before buying?

The deposit will be a gift from my parents and the mortgage application will be in my name only. Neither DH or myself own any other property.

I don't want the house to be classed as a marital asset or for him to have any claim on it. I was hoping a solicitors letter for him to agree to this would be sufficient but I'm now hearing otherwise, so is a separation agreement appropriate and legally binding?

Or do I need to go straight down the divorce route? If that's the case does anyone know if his gambling problem and convincing me to take on his debts before leaving would count as unreasonable behaviour?

Sorry for the essay, just going round in circles in my head

Anything counts as unreasonable behaviour so what you've put is fine crack on with the divorce and it may be over and done with before the house purchase.

I'm going to phone a solicitor first thing Tuesday morning.

I don't want to rush a divorce if I don't have to. Only been separated 4 months and I guess I'm still hoping it's not permanent. I just want to be protected of it doesn't though.