Divorce standstill

[hayhosmith]

I married a knob, had three children with him, (youngest child 4 years) he had an affair for (two years). I threw him out. I instigated divorce, he wanted his share of the house and kept on about selling up which eventually I agreed to. I have started negotiations for my share of equity and he now doesn't seem bothered about selling as he doesn't want to give me more than 50%. I work part time cant afford a big mortgage or buy him out but with 70% I could move out and he could get his readies and get lost.
I am living in the house, he has moved in with his mother for last 7 months (free bed and board including full laundry service). I feel like I am on standby to move but am stuck married to this "boy" (42 yrs old), until he agrees to the equity split. He says he is not seeing his girlfriend anymore. He keeps threatening to move back in, he still has a key. Any ideas?????
Much appreciated!

Firstly - change the locks.
Secondly - get some legal advice regarding the split of equity.
If you are getting custody of the children then I would hope you are entitled to more than 50%.
I assume he is paying towards the house and kids?
But I'm sure someone much more knowledgable will be along soon.

Do you have a solicitor or are these negotiations just something you're arranging between you?

As a very quick rule of thumb, you would be entitled to more than 50% and only if you are overaccomadated would you be forced to sell. (ie if yoiu have a 5 bedroom house) otherwise you should be able to stay until the children grown up and either finish uni or reach 18 whichever is later.

Go and get legal advise PDQ

Get yourself to a damn good solicitor as soon as you can.

Add a bolt to the inside of doors for security and safety purposes, with you being a woman in the house on your own, but you can't really legally change the locks as he still owns half the house.

A big thank you to all the kind offers of good advice! I have a good solicitor who has advised me that if I take this to court i would get 60%, my main concern now is saving up to pay all the costs! Thank you ladies XX

I know your question wasn't really about this .........but 60%??

I presume you have other assets, higher future earning capacity or, as bobbywash said a big house?

You don't need a whole thread of amateurs guessing the law so I'll stop there, except to say I saw two solicitors and I thought the first one was good until I saw the second (a MN recommendation). Both specialists, neither adversarial, but the second one was much more focused and confidence-giving (and 1st session was free!)

Did you try mediation?