Quick q about emergency benefits

[EvacuationWarden]

I think we are divorcing.

If I know my husband as well as I think I do, whilst we are in the process of selling the family home (i hope he will be moving out) so that we can divide proceeds and move on, he will refuse to contribute to the upkeep of it so all the bills mortgage (all joint names) etc will fall to me. I work part time and there is no way I could afford all that alone. he is director of his own limited company ( only him, no other employees) and he will hide assets from anyone so he doesn't have to pay maintenance either.

As we are not yet divorced, does the benefits system still consider that I have a partner? That makes a massive difference to the calculator on line, his income is much higher thn mine and with his in there I am not entitled to anything at all. Any advice v gratefully received.

no, if you are separated you are claiming as a single person. Speak to a real live advisor though not an online calculator, they will help you work it all out - it is a shock and very unpleasant to have to deal with all this crap but I assure you it will be ok xx

Nope, you just tick the seperated box. However i just had a compliance interview a couple of weeks ago, to check that i was still seperated from my ex, and that i had no plans on returning, which dont. Apparently its standard procedure, but i was worried what it was about, unneccesarily, so thought i would wanr you in a few months you too may get called in. They just want a statmenet to say you havent got back together!

I'd suggest you talk to a solicitor and/or the CAB. If debts like a mortgage are in joint names and he doesn't pay, the mortgage company will go after him for arrears. Hiding assets is a pretty low trick as well, although I know it goes on. As well as dealing with benefits, get yourself the best professional legal advice you can and you may be able to head off some of these other problems before they materialise.