To cancel holiday and not pay?

[worstnotholiday]

I've got a holiday booked in October. Only booked on 3/3 and paid £120 deposit for four of us. Two adults two children. £230 to be paid every month thereafter. However my circumstances have changed overnight. My husband has left. I have no money. No hope of paying this. Will be waiting the next few weeks to get my uc claim set up and living out of what's in the cupboards till then.

I've just tried to cancel it online and have found that the company want £780 to cancel it?! My insurance apparently want £100 per person for a cancellation claim. I just do not have it. The payment will bounce next week and I'll never be able to pay them either the £400 or the £780 they expect (the whole remaining balance is only £900! If I had £780 I'd be able to find the extra!)

Wtf can I do? Dh will not help me. He's done this in the most cruel way possible and I have no chance of getting a penny out of him. Indeed, I have little chance of even having a roof over mine and the childrens heads come October let alone a fucking holiday. Aibu to think that this is a con? This "debt" will ruin my credit rating. The insurance was rather pointless too. I'm so defeated.

So sorry about your circumstances OP, but the holiday is the least of your worries.

I wonder would MNHQ consider a better title to include the fact that holiday is a problem due to husbands actions. Just a suggestion.

I wish you well.

Farming in-laws? My friend has had years of this, not quite good enough, bulk of family life work, his unexpected but clearly planned exit, in-law accountancy , but eventually it's all looking a lot brighter for her.

Best of luck.

Can he legally make you leave while the children are of school age?

@Hadalifeonce

I once, inadvertently, set up a regular payment on my card. The bank were unable to stop it as it was against my card.

I phoned the next day and told them I had lost my card, they put a stop on my old card and issued a new one, which meant the payment could go ahead.

I was about to suggest this. Report the card lost. No further payments will be taken and at most you've lost what you have paid so far. Gives you breathing space to sort the important finances out and you can deal with the holiday company later when your head is clearer.

I second all op’s who suggest getting legal advice, you are likely in a better legal position than that vermin of a husband is telling you, e.g. CM and legal division of assets.

Try posting on legal on MN and try this free legal helpline:

rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-advice/family-law/

Sending you a big hug

I suggest you contact the holiday company and explain. I also don't think you should move out. I assume the mortgage is in joint names so he is liable as much as you. Is there any equity? Can you afford the mortgage on your own?

Repeating what other posters have said mostly, but pre-nuptials aren’t legally binding in England and Wales, and lots of family lawyers will agree to take no payment up front and then take a share of the divorce settlement. Please please please see a lawyer. Some will even offer a free first hour consultation.

@prh47bridge Twain who mentioned Legal Aid.

You are right that is available in specific instances & the criteria for receipt is stringent.

However it well worth @worstnotholiday enquiring as her OH’s behaviour is tantamount to financial abuse which would be counted as Domestic Abuse, the term now used instead of DV.

Bah! ‘Twas I…

@UniversalAunt - I wasn't saying that OP wouldn't get legal aid. She may. My main point was that, if she doesn't qualify for legal aid, she may still be able to find a solicitor who is happy to wait for payment until she receives the financial settlement.

@TyrannosaurusRights

You need a lawyer. A shit hot one. You can pay after the division of assets. And they will ensure you get enough to make it worth paying for them.

He tried to break you. Imagine if you end up with over half his hidden money instead.

This.

That prenup is likely not worth the paper it's written on. Tell them you signed it under duress and give evidence of his other dodgy dealings.
You need to fight fire with fire here.

If he has a lot of other wealth the likelihood is that you will be awarded the house. Any idea how much equity there is in it. As others have said, you may get the interest paid in your mortgage once you claim UC, could you afford to keep the house then? Definitely ring CMS tommorrow, the sooner you do it the sooner you'll get child maintenance paid. And see a solicitor, they'll help you with what you may expect from a divorce financially.

I make my terms and conditions sound pretty firm I’d never take your money if you explained situation to me. Just explain honestly and with no expectation. Anyone decent so t take your money.

No advice but your husband sounds like a total piece of shit. Hopefully what goes around comes around and he'll get his in good time. Stay strong

You can get BT Broadband for £15 per month if you are receiving UC. If you already have a contract with BT, they will switch you over and no penalties apply.

Not sure about switching from other providers, but it is worth checking with them to see of they would release you from any contracts.

www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

Also cancel your TV Licence, unplug the Ariel and de tune the TV and as long as you don't watch LIVE TV, you don't need a licence.

www.tvlicensing.co.uk/cs/no-licence-needed/about.app

I wish you and your girls all the best.

@prh47bridge vigorously agreeing with you.

Hope you and the girls are doing ok now op and you have managed to keep your home. Hope you and your girls have a lovely Christmas.

@worstnotholiday I’m wondering how you are too x