ok, havign just been thru a very nasty financial hearing with exh in the courts I can tell you how it works.
Fist they take into account your joint assets
ie a 150k house, less 100k mortgage gives you 50k assests
Any endowments, shares etc are added into this
then they list your individual assets, savings, any item worth over 1k, pensions etc
They reach a total figure.
then it is up to the judge to decide a percentage based on various factors such as how many children there are their ages etc.
I got the house, but had to take over the mortgage and 19% of dh's pension which I get when I am 60 adn a very small (1k!!) endowment.
It is a very commonly held beleif that 'a roof has to be kept over the childrens head' and it simply isn't true. I went to three solicitors beofre I found one who I liked enough to deal with me, and every one of them told me the same thing. If your ex is still paying your mortgage that means that he cant get one of his own. If it is necessary for the house to be sold in order for you both to get enough capital to re house you both then that is what will be decided, butt having the children you will get the larger percentage.
If your wage wouldn't cover the mortgage, there are some building scieties that will take your CSA payments (make sure that you get it done officialy rather than just a payment from him to you) and your benefits into account when giving you a mortgage. But in order to get the house transferred into your name it does mean getting a mortgage on your own.
hth