Hi. I am in an unhappy marriage and I would like to consider separation. My problem is that I don't know how to ensure that I can manage, financially, on my own with a child.
We live in a shared ownership property; it's all in my husbands name. We have a 20 month old child.
I work part time, 19.5 hours per week in a professional role as an allied health professional (NHS) this is a career that I have worked incredibly hard at, and I want to remain in work. I work 4 mornings per week, and our child goes to nursery costing just under £500 pcm. I earn around £1,000 pcm. This is my problem...how could I ever manage to move out? I simply could not afford the rent and bills on a property as well as childcare and other expenditures. I have no family locally and I wouldn't want to move away with our child. Does anyone know what financial help I would be entitled to? Benefits? Funded child care? What is the recommended child maintenance? From a bit of internet research I've done, it seems almost impossible (financially) for a working professional to leave a situation like mine. I'd be interested to know if anyone is or has been in a similar boat and how they managed. I'm looking for kindness, this is hard to consider and it has not been an easy decision to even post this message. I'm very saddened to be feeling this way, and in this situation. Thanks in advance.
To clarify; my husband is a good father and I'm keen to ensure he and our child have a good relationship. He works full time, and earns around £33k per annum.
Thank you again.