To seperate with partner but continue to live in the same house.

[imacowbaggetmeoutofhere]

Just that. Can it be done?

Have a ds aged 2 together, very amicable, just fallen out of love and need the pressure of being in a dead in the water relationship gone.

Neither of us can afford to move out however. Not at the moment anyway.

I'm a stay at home mum, have no income of my own. What do I do until I can find employment?? I'll need to be able to pay my half of bills and rent and things.

So im guessing id apply for benefits? But would I be entitled the same way as an out of work lone parent would be, even though im living in same as house as ex-partner.

Really hoping can someone help, as im so confused. I know what I want and that is to not be in this relationship anymore, but i dont know how to go about it. I feel so trapped!

Bumping for you.

I considered this, FWIW. But with older kids. To avoid the upheaval. But we were less amicable, have split now. It's been hell but you come out the other side.

I've got a feeling that you can still be viewed as separated if under the same roof as long as you eat/sleep separately etc. But that's in the context of being separated in preparation for divorce. If you are not married I think it would be difficult to get any benefits that you'd get as a single parent living separately if that makes sense. Otherwise there'd be massive scope for fraud.

Feel for you being in this horrible situation and hope that you find a solution that works for all of you.

And that someone comes along who can offer some better advice.

Sounds insane. I wouldn't do it

I imagine you'll have a hard time convincing your local benefits office you aren't together - they'll get that all the time from people pretending they aren't together.

I would speak to a benefits advisor at your local council. You will be entitled to some benefits and your ex will have to pay maintenance.

I have known this to have worked. The child was 3 at the time. Both people got on as friends. It just wasnt possible to buy houses separately as they lived in London and it d have been too expensive. Also she wanted him as a daily presence in her child's life. I think it takes alot of work but it s not impossible. They did it for a number of years.

I think it should only ever be a very last resort and that you should shift heaven and earth to avoid it. You're just a partner rather than a DW which means you're in a slightly weaker position financially but there is help available. I'd recommend you (both if you're still amicable) research what you can do about accommodation and income. Accommodation for a single man is often relatively cheap ... flat-share for example. Housing authorities tend to prioritise homeless women with children. CAB can be very helpful on things like benefits. If you can agree a fair maintenance for the children that helps. You might not both get quite the standard of living you've been used to but mentally you'd find it easier to move on if you make a clean break

I did it when I split from my DH - 6 months and it was not good.
We both admit now that it was too long and he should have moved out much sooner.
Not sure with benefits etc... as per advice above, talk to someone to see what you are entitled to.
Good luck for the future.