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Seeking Legal Advice .Irish property Dispute, Financial Deception and Controlling behaviour

3 replies

FreeFly · 19/10/2026 21:26

Part 2
: During a previous separation, he refused to provide money for our eldest daughter's food, medication and appointments. This makes me worried that he may not contribute reliably if I establish a separate home.

The children have also been exposed to verbal aggression, and my middle child is receiving therapy.As am I .

Over time, I feel I have lost my confidence, self-worth and independence. My focus has been almost entirely on caring for the children, and I sometimes wonder whether my lack of confidence and belief that I deserved better made me more vulnerable to the situation I am in.

I would like to understand whether this pattern of behaviour could amount to emotional abuse or coercive control, and whether the circumstances surrounding our financial decisions could be relevant legally.

I currently have no employment income, need accessible accommodation for my eldest daughter, and am frightened about the possibility of becoming homeless.

My main questions are:

  1. Do I have any grounds to challenge the 50/50 ownership of the property in Ireland, given the circumstances and what I was told about his finances?
  2. Does the fact that his contribution came from a gift from his sister, rather than his own money, make any difference?
  3. Could he agree to transfer his share to me, and what legal advice should I obtain before considering any settlement?
  4. What rights do I have under our joint tenancy in England, and what housing, financial or child maintenance support might be available?
  5. Could his behaviour amount to coercive control or emotional abuse, and what evidence should I keep?
  6. Should I seek separate legal advice in Ireland about the property and in England about the tenancy, domestic abuse and support for the children?

I am not looking for revenge. I want to understand my rights, protect my children and find a way to rebuild my independence and security.

OP posts:
Passaggressfedup · 22/10/2026 20:13

The first question would be? Are you married or not? If you are, how long have you been married/cohabitating? Where did you marry?

If the former, your situation would fall under the civil court. If the latter, the family court.

Although you could maybe make a case under the children act for the case to be considered by the family court.

If it's the civil court, challenging what has been signed on the deeds is not easy, can be highly costly and definitely require legal expertise. Then there is the matter that the house is in Ireland.

It's a complex situation and you should only trust the advice of a legal representative in real life.

FreeFly · 23/10/2026 09:04

We are not married but currently live under the same roof purely for practical reasons and complexity of our children's significant care needs as we have no family support.

OP posts:
Collaborate · 23/10/2026 10:21

The first question I would ask you is why you are posting on a UK based message board asking for advice on a property based in Ireland. You aren't married so any claim on that property is subject to Irish law - and that might also be the case even if you were married.

As far as jointly rented UK property is concerned you can apply to the court but people seldom do as it is usually more expensive and time consuming to do this than simply negotiating with the landlord surrender and new tenancy grant, or finding somewhere else to live. See here for a good summary of your options.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/renting/relationship_breakdown_in_a_tenancy

Shelter icon

Shelter Legal - Relationship breakdown in a tenancy - Shelter England

Rights and options of occupiers after a relationship breaks down in private or social rented accommodation.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/renting/relationship_breakdown_in_a_tenancy

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