I know what to do but not how to do it

[blueinspiration]

I'm fairly clear I need to leave my husband although I still wobble at times.

The issues are mainly financial. Neither of us have surviving parents which is unusual I know , but partly because we are from different backgrounds and also partly because my sibling also died I inherited a large sum of money and I say money but actually it was in the form of property and includes the home we now live in as well as a property abroad.

I'm not mercenary and I certainly don't want to leave DH with nothing but is he really entitled to half of all this - I am guessing he is. It is complicated further as he works in a fairly high earning post that isn't three figures but isn't TOO far off.

I don't work now but I did until 2 years ago.

We have a seven year old and a baby.

Can anyone advise? Thanks .

You need to see a solicitor, but yes, from the little you have posted, all property will be counted as a marital asset and put "in the pot" that will be divided between you.

How long have you been together and how long married?

What are your relative pension situations?

You need to arm yourself with all the relevant info and get yourself to the sols.

Good luck.

Thanks. We've been married for eight years, two children. He has a private pension and I have a teaching one but it hasn't been paid into since I stopped work 2 years ago.

OK, so if you have been married 8 years and together for a while before that (?) then you really need to see a solicitor with all the facts and figs.

Only in a short marriage would the property not be considered a joint asset, regardless of how the ownership came about or whose name anything is in.

I know but it would be helpful to have an idea of what can be taken away.

DH earns more than me, well obviously he does as I'm not working right now but his earning potential is double at least what mine will ever be.

Generally, the assets you bring to the marriage are retained by the original owner. It depends on the total length of relationship (not just marriage), the equal contribution made and whether your inherited property is now in joint names. There are too many variables but the shorter the marriage the better it is for you financially, if you're holding the purse strings. You must take advice from a solicitor. I really do recommend finding family law firms that offer a free 30 minutes. Go armed with a list of questions. This will also let you see if you like the solicitor's style and can see him/her fighting your corner as you would want them too.