Soon-to-be Ex husband has ‘hidden’ all assets in Children’s Savings

[Potatosaladfiend]

… and I’ve got no idea what to do. I can’t afford a solicitor (local ones are quoting a fee of over £500 just for a consultation, thousands to proceed).

I left my husband in 2018 due to domestic abuse. Divorce is finally progressing, but the funds from the sale of our family home have mysteriously disappeared. His mother has informed me that about £80,000 worth of equity from the sale was placed in the children’s savings accounts in 2019 (which he is custodian of), and as it now belongs to ‘the children’, who are minors, he apparently doesn’t have to declare it- but can withdraw it as he wishes after the divorce is finalised.

What a joke.

So I guess my only option is to just write it off and rent forever whilst he comfortably buys a new home? How is this allowed?! I don’t think I expected any less of him to be honest but it’s still such a kick in the teeth after everything he did to be left with nothing.

I guess my question, if anyone knows, is when he ‘suddenly’ has the money and buys a property after the divorce, will I have a right to query this? I’m guessing not but I’m so frustrated and clutching at straws.

Can you take out a bank loan to pay solicitors?

My daughter didn't have to pay a penny in divorce or family court costs due to domestic violence. She only had £10 to her name when she left though.

Contact a solicitor now and see what they say. If necessary contact all the solicitors in your area. Why should he get away with this?

Basically legal aid is available if there has been domestic abuse.

This! Tell the bank as it is fraud. Then go to citizens advice promptly.
do you have police records at all for the DV? You could be entitled to legal aid.

I’m going through financial disclosure at the mo with solictors. I’m sorry to say your get very far without one.

Hi Potatosaladfiend, I feel your pain here and am in a similar situation. I also haven't been able to afford a solicitor and didn't qualify for legal aid due to a technicality but I have had legal support from Citizens Advice. I attended court on Friday as a litigant in person and CAB
attended with me as a McKenzie friend.

However, the hearing has really just demonstrated that I need to go into debt and get a solicitor if I am to have any hope of achieving what I need to and what I believe is fair. Hopefully the gain will outweigh the expenditure.

It feels very unfair that abusive XHs just get to walk away and we have to carry on fighting to survive. Good luck. Xx

Try to find a solicitor that will accept payment form the settlement. In the meantime, things you can do are purchase a copy of the title deed of the family home from the Land Registry (£10 I think) and it will tell you what the property was sold for.

You should be able to find out the sold price from Zoopla a couple of months after the sale for free.

Contact Women's Aid, they may be able to help.

You need to see a solicitor, some offer an initial free half an hour consultation in UK . This will give you some idea of what can be done . Good luck, if you don’t you will regret it later .