£100k + Universal Credit?

[NeverGoingToGiveYouUpButIMayLetYouDown]

I want to claim UC as I am no longer able to work due to a progressive illness.

Husband and I are divorcing. I owed him money, from a verbally-agreed loan between us both, so I transferred money to him three months ago. Plus, some of his savings were in my account, so I also transferred this back to him three months ago.

Will Universal Credit look unfavourably at all this - that I transferred £100k to him, and have very little (less than £16k) left over for myself? I have never claimed benefits before, so I am nervous this will be seen as deprivation of capital, despite occuring prior to me making a claim.

Do you have a solicitor?

Doesn’t matter. You were married. You limited your work to raise kids. The money in your account was yours.

Did you even speak to a solicitor?

He can't loan you your own money....any funds are all in the joint marital pot...any solicitor will tell you that.

If your STBEXH ‘lent’ you money for treatment, how come you still had it in your account, and paid it back to him? Did you not have the treatment in the end? And why (supposing you needed the treatment) was it not a ‘family’ expense? Why would you be expected to fully fund it? Nothing makes sense.

Hmm, unsure about your specific context. But I was applying for UC at the same time my wife sold an old property. Our bank account was hit with the profit and was gone again with 3 weeks. (Paid off debt, car, deposit for new house). I never thought anything of the transactions and whether they would check or not. I now claim UC top ups every month.

Do you have evidence of the loan ? A written contract ?

LOL.

He loaned you 100k for treatment ? Were you having a lobotomy ?

Do you usually speak like this? For someone so magniloquent (I know words too) you would think you would know this information without having to double check on a forum. Anyway, you have your answer - it's clear deprivation.

Pull the other one.

You should spend less time with a dictionary and more time with a very good solicitor OP. You’re going to really need one because you’re not getting a penny of UC money amongst this shit show.

I was seen for chemo (and still am!) at Mount Vernon so did not need the loan in the end. My husband had originally transferred a sum to my account for the purpose of alternative treatment at a BMI hospital. It is a loan because it is 'his' money - his words, not mine. FYI, the mealy-mouthed comment was his, not mine, and I hope I caused no offence.

We have a joint representation solicitor for the divorce. Because I was so unwell, my husband dealt with it. We are in the 20 week cool off period.

Whats happening with the financial settlement? What are you getting?

Do not agree to anything less than 50%. Engage a new solicitor if you’re not getting at least that (you should get more).

But again, why did you actually give him the money? It’s joint and you’re entitled to money. Why have you left the marriage with nothing?

Are you afraid of him?

Er no, he doesn't get to keep all the money and leave the tax payer to pick up your living costs, it doesn't work that way.
Half of the marital assets are yours and the UC people will see this as deprivation of assets, you have to sort this properly.

The settlement is less than 50% but I feel out of place posting. Unsure why I am getting shunned for my choice of words...

The only other solicitors I have ever used are conveyancers for our property purchases.

Just google divorce lawyers and your area.

You are getting a raw deal.

Good luck.

Why is it less than 50%? Is there an actual good reason for that?

Or, did he present this idea and you accepted it and your joint solicitor signed it off because you nodded along saying it was fine?

Get a solicitor of your own. Get the money you are owed. You can’t work. So do not walk away from this marriage with any less than you are entitled to.

Shunned? No one on this thread has remotely shunned you - you've not been avoided, ignored or rejected. You've had the advice you have asked for. If you want to converse like a word casserole then go right ahead, but it does come across as odd and a bit like a robot trying to write poetry.

Also you seem to have had some really dubious legal advice as this whole divorce financial settlement sounds dodgier than a Rolex from Romford Market.

I am not scared of him, no. There was no abuse of any kind throughout.

He said he will be able to prove how he and his new partner, who is expecting, will need our home more than I. My children are at University.

My deal is to have the car worth 17k and monthly payment of £850.

The turn to us calculator shows that I will be eligible for UC and housing element to help me rent somewhere.

It does sound incredibly convenient

I don't know why you believe a thing he says. Why on earth are you using the same solicitor??!

Surely you need the house more as your income is limited due to disability? Is his pension included? Yours must be limited after reducing work?

Stand up for yourself op!!

He is shitting all over you, Op. Did he cheat?

I don't understand what it's got to do with him? UC isn't his decision. You give them all the information and documents they require with full honest disclosure, and who cares if he thinks it's unfair?

You really ought to get your story straight before you encounter the DWP. If you're not convincing us you won't convince them either.

Right, please listen. Please please listen.

It doesn’t matter if he is having a new baby. You are still entitled to your half of the marital assets. You should be leaving the marriage with half of everything you both had.

Please listen. Get a new solicitor. Get your own solicitor. Call someone tomorrow, show them the current settlement and get some help with this. Please.

You should be coming out of this long marriage quite well off. You should not be living in poverty on UC. Get a new solicitor who works just for you.

Of all the posts I’ve read on mumsnet, this is the post I hope the most that the poster actually does what has been advised.