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Married but not on mortgage.

50 replies

nevereveragain2 · 01/10/2026 12:21

DH put in the deposit as i had no savings from previously being a single parent. we got married then he . i am part of a DMP & credit is getting built back up. i work part time and pay money to him towards household expenses and i pay all the childcare bill of £900 a month. i dont have any bills in my name as he said it could affect the future?
he works full time and pays the mortgage and rest of bills. we share dc together. i'm just checking i'm protected in the event of a divorce? as im clueless in matters like this and cant afford to see a solicitor
TIA

OP posts:
QueenOfAccountability · 01/10/2026 12:30

i'm just checking i'm protected in the event of a divorce?

Checking what exactly? It's not clear from your thread what you're asking.

Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 01/10/2026 12:33

Are you on the deeds?

If not, then no. You aren't protected. Mortgage, house and bills are all in his name.

Pachycephalosaurus · 01/10/2026 12:34

If you live in Scotland and are married then the family home is regarded as a joint asset, regardless of who paid for it or who is on deeds and mortgage. I believe this is the same in other UK countries too.

MrsPapillon · 01/10/2026 12:35

Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 01/10/2026 12:33

Are you on the deeds?

If not, then no. You aren't protected. Mortgage, house and bills are all in his name.

That’s not true. In the UK, if you are married you are entitled to half, even if you’re not on the mortgage or deeds, unless it has been a very short marriage.

maddiemookins16mum · 01/10/2026 12:36

Do you (he) have a will. However regardless of that, being married is much better in your current situation than not being married.

MigGirl · 01/10/2026 12:37

Doesn't matter as you are married, so you would be entitled to half the material assets.

As long as you are in the UK.

Shinyandnew1 · 01/10/2026 12:39

He wouldn’t put your name on the bills as it could affect the future?

What does he mean? How?

Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 01/10/2026 12:43

MrsPapillon · 01/10/2026 12:35

That’s not true. In the UK, if you are married you are entitled to half, even if you’re not on the mortgage or deeds, unless it has been a very short marriage.

Apologies.
Still sounds dodgy as fuck to me. Why doesn't he want her named on any bills? I'd definitely want to be òn the deeds at least.

Cheese0melette · 01/10/2026 12:43

Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 01/10/2026 12:33

Are you on the deeds?

If not, then no. You aren't protected. Mortgage, house and bills are all in his name.

That’s not true.

The house would be seen as a marital asset in the eyes of the law, I wasn’t on the deeds or mortgage for our house initially but when I bought a 2nd house in my name I had to pay stamp duty as a second home owner. Even though I wasn’t on the deeds or mortgage, just married to the chap who was.

Hoppinggreen · 01/10/2026 12:46

House is most likely marital assett anyway
Most mortgage lenders will want you on the Deeds in any case, I wasn't on our deeds or mortgage when we first moved here as I owned other properties but I went on the Deeds straight away at the mortgage lenders request and when we remortgaged I went on that too

Betterversionofme · 01/10/2026 12:48

Register your legal/ beneficial interest in the property with land registry. It's so other party can't remortgage or sell without you knowing and agreeing. It's absolute basic to protect your and therefore your child's interests in case relationship goes wrong. It's already suspicious that it's not already.
As it stands now, it's only his house. How would you provide home for your child if things go wrong?
You paying for childcare is very different. No wealth, no equity builds there. It's like water between your fingers. Sure it must be spent, but it's not exactly investment like in case of a house.
It's simple, Google, you don't need a lawyer. Lawyer wouldn't be expensive anyway. It's simple, routine thing for them.
You don't need anything from your husband for that. Just do it quietly, and promptly.

Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 01/10/2026 12:54

Cheese0melette · 01/10/2026 12:43

That’s not true.

The house would be seen as a marital asset in the eyes of the law, I wasn’t on the deeds or mortgage for our house initially but when I bought a 2nd house in my name I had to pay stamp duty as a second home owner. Even though I wasn’t on the deeds or mortgage, just married to the chap who was.

Gosh. That seems harsh.

Betterversionofme · 01/10/2026 12:55

I think people forget that it's half/half from whatever is still there, visible, and possible to retrieve. What stops other person remortgage and do whatever with it?

JohnofWessex · 01/10/2026 13:19

I would take advice.

If you are on a DMP then it could suddenly become an assett that you creditors might be interested in

nevereveragain2 · 01/10/2026 22:22

Betterversionofme · 01/10/2026 12:48

Register your legal/ beneficial interest in the property with land registry. It's so other party can't remortgage or sell without you knowing and agreeing. It's absolute basic to protect your and therefore your child's interests in case relationship goes wrong. It's already suspicious that it's not already.
As it stands now, it's only his house. How would you provide home for your child if things go wrong?
You paying for childcare is very different. No wealth, no equity builds there. It's like water between your fingers. Sure it must be spent, but it's not exactly investment like in case of a house.
It's simple, Google, you don't need a lawyer. Lawyer wouldn't be expensive anyway. It's simple, routine thing for them.
You don't need anything from your husband for that. Just do it quietly, and promptly.

thanks for this . i will look into it but wont he notified?

OP posts:
Betterversionofme · 02/10/2026 11:00

nevereveragain2 · 01/10/2026 22:22

thanks for this . i will look into it but wont he notified?

Yes, he will be notified. So that he can appeal. But if he's got problem with this that really means it needs to be done.
You can do other admin work at sort of same time, like a will. When he asks, present it as one of those basic admin things that need to be done as you are married and have a child together, it didn't even occur to you that anyone would think it's controversial.
It's supposed to protect vulnerable spouses. I think it's even maybe free to register. Search for home rights notice with land registry.
Also, if you think you'd like some legal support, you can contact Shelter. It's not only for people who are already homeless. Their service is free. Explain your situation, they have lawyers there who will get back to you. They much prefer prevent a mother and child to become homeless then dealing with much larger situation later on. One phone call from their lawyer might really help you to understand where you stand and how it works.
It's one of those things, stitch in time saves 9, deal with big things while they are small, deal with hard things while they are easy.
You seem to be concerned about your husband's reaction. It shouldn't be like this. You, everyone deserves better. I wish you all the best, and stay safe.

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 02/10/2026 11:04

I’m not jointly named on bills! What’s the point of that? I’m terms of marital assets, the default position is 50:50 unless a very well worded pre nup is in place. These are important in a short marriage, less important in a longer one.

Annualsouptime · 02/10/2026 11:10

Iirc very bad credit can affect bills because they might nit allow you direct debit, so losing the discount which is usually on it. Broadband and phone contracts may be rejected unless PAYG or similar from many companies.

House is most likely marital asset as pps said, especially if you are married for long time

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 02/10/2026 11:24

@Annualsouptime You get a credit card and pay it back. My name isn’t on household bills but I have credit cards and a phone. One person dealing with household bills is much easier. Op is also paying nursery bills - a household bill!

BirdLandedonmyHead · 02/10/2026 11:28

You need to consider what bappens if he dies as well. He can keave the house to anyone he wants... you, your child, bis parents, the local society for demonic prayer...

MaidsRoom · 02/10/2026 11:39

Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 01/10/2026 12:43

Apologies.
Still sounds dodgy as fuck to me. Why doesn't he want her named on any bills? I'd definitely want to be òn the deeds at least.

If I were OP’s spouse I would certainly not put OP on the deeds or probably most of the bills. This is in OP’s interest too.

OP is on a debt management plan. That means her credit rating is shot to pieces. If she is named on bills the family might lose the right to pay bills by direct debit and have to pay upfront.

Depending on what kind of DMP OP is on, suddenly acquiring an interest in a house may void the DMP. Worst case scenario OP’s creditors, who are currently not being paid in full because OP has insufficient assets, may come after the house once she owns a chunk of it. They may be legally entitled to do that. Then the family is homeless. It’s a small risk but still a risk.

OP, I would focus on successfully completing your DMP, clearing your debts and rebuilding your credit rating. Then you can get yourself added to the deeds of the house.

KindlySurfiingPlatypus · 02/10/2026 11:46

If you are married you would be legally entitled to half of all assets including the house and also any pension he has saved.

However he sounds like a devious pos who may have already started hiding assets away in case he wants to escape his responsibilities. Gather any information you can about what the actual assets are.

He also sounds financially abusive. Within a marriage there shouldn't really be any idea of "what he pays for" and "what you pay for" - everything should be shared, and both of you have the same amount of discretionary fun spending money after all the serious things are paid for. That's what "for better for worse, for richer for poorer" means.

Are you definitely legally married? You didn't have just a "fun" overseas ceremony which isn't actually legally valid?

ImaSpringChicken · 02/10/2026 11:51

how long have you been married? A short marriage of less than 5 years might be a problem.
also what is to stop him remortgaging it and hiding the proceeds for example giving it to his parents to hold onto for him so there is no equity in the house.

Soontobe60 · 02/10/2026 11:57

Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 01/10/2026 12:33

Are you on the deeds?

If not, then no. You aren't protected. Mortgage, house and bills are all in his name.

That’s not correct. In the event of divorce all assets, regardless as to whose name they are in, are considered joint assets. Similarly all debts are considered joint debts.
Marriage gives financial protection.

Banoffeepie29 · 02/10/2026 12:07

I'm in a similar situation OP. Not named on any bills, mortgage or deeds, but have been assured by many people here that the house is a marital asset and I will be protected in the case of divorce/death of H. Regarding the land registry, yes he will be made aware of it which is why I haven't done this. Is there any reason why you cannot be named on these things?

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