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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

second wife

29 replies

issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:05

Hi just to had to post - i have been married 7 yrs to a Muslim man. He was not a practicing Muslim when we met but 2 yrs ago really got into ti. He prayed all the time constantly bored friends so we had no friends, I let him get on with it thinking he would eventually come to his senses. We were very busy last year and frankly grew apart although I did not realise, as I still loved him and still do but also hate him.

He was a very honorable man but now I don't know this man at all. I found out out he was having an affair but worse he married her in a Nikka wedding (no legal status). He told me he met her in March this year, she converted (i never did), she got pregnant at 40yrs old in 3 weeks!, but lost the baby four weeks later, now she has cancer so she needs him. I am too old for children so we have none, my \h is 25 yrs younger them me. He was crying and told me he was just an arse.... but he could not help it he loved her but he loved me more, all this was on holiday away from her. I told him she was spinning yarns not that it matters. I was so shocked but wanted to save my marriage. We came back I asked him was he still seeing her - he said no but I know he is (this was 2 weeks ago). when first home he tried for a few days but now he is totally disassociated with me. He says he promised to take care of my but he is not he is treating house like hotel and gong where he wants, I know he is lonely as he works on his own, I have told him twice if he does not want to be here to go but he stays ,why? he keeps saying he has to earn money so he can pay me back what I have given to his family, I earn 3 times his salary. we live in a house I am bought before we were married still in my name. we also bought 3 other houses from my redundancy and retirement money but I put them in join names. He looks stressed most of the time, he has been using porn sites - I am at my wits end. He talked about going to be
an Imman (takes 5 yrs) and says he will not live probably another 5 yrs. He is now rude but now I have confided in a friend she comes to the house he comes also and is very chatty as if nothing is wrong. I swing from divorce to fear, panic and fell a real loss. I asked did he want a divorce he said nothing, I said i will take that as a yes then again he said nothing, he said he is confused and if he did not love me he could take half of everything under english law., I asked was he staying because he could not afford to live on his own, he replied of course I can afford it. I asked did she accept being second wife he said yes - I said I don't and under Muslim terms need to agree he said he would not have told me had I not found out, then said but I love you more than her. what a mess why cant I make up my mind? Whats in his mind?

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/10/2014 09:14

Sorry you're married to such a shit.

The phrase I think applies is 'having his cake and eating it'. He's got you one house 'trying hard' to be a better wife and he's got his bit on the side doing the same thing, presumably. Massive ego-boost and don't be surprised if you find there are more gullible middle-aged women being treated to his charms. Meanwhile he's lying through his teeth, taking your money, claiming to be terminally ill Confused.... even the ambition to be an Imam sounds ridiculous coming from someone so hypocritical. I'm sorry you put his name on your property because that's probably going to cost you dearly.

So I would suggest you forget trying to work out what's going on in his selfish head. You can't believe a word he says, you've been taken for a ride and I think you should get yourself to a solicitor and get this chancer out of your life permanently. Please don't let fear of being independent hold you back.

issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:19

Hi no it is she who is dying
I am looking for solicitor but need a good one

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seasavage · 04/10/2014 09:20

This is confusing. Under Islam multiple wives are supposed to supported by their husband. Whilst you can argue a modern family should accept a man isn't necessarily the provider then emotional support, honesty and consent of other wives are still integral. Having affairs / separate families is not the 'point'.
It sounds horribly like he's twisting his faith to live his life, rather than living 'honorably'.
You say you hate him. It's time to organise yourself, protect your assets and get legal advice. That hate is going to grow it would seem.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/10/2014 09:21

He's dying, she's dying.... do you believe a word he says? Hmm Has this faithless cocklodger left your house yet? Much easier to find a good solicitor after you've taken out the trash.....

issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:24

sorry forgot to thank you for your reply, I am not thinking clearly

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/10/2014 09:25

No need to stand on ceremony here. :) Has he left your house yet?

issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:31

I suppose I just need a bit more time really its a big step but i need to work out how to get the cheapest settlement and then how to start a new life. I think he has rowed with his family as his mother is angry with him but i don't speak his language so i cant talk with her. He says he is highly sexual so I think I am his mother. He is genuinely stressed I can see that in his face - I think he may want divorce but dare not ask for fear of loosing everything so if I ask him I need to get to point I know where I stand legally
Ps can everyone see this message - first time I have used one of these sites as don't do computers

OP posts:
issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:36

No he has not left house, don't know why he is staying, could be family pressure as we have a wedding in 2 months time. he said he is paying for this himself so not asking me to contribute besides I have taken money from joint accounts. so do I wait for him to leave so he is feeling guilty and then negotiate settlement or do I tell him to go and negotiate before he goes - I need to get the best deal I think.

OP posts:
issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:37

No he has not left house, don't know why he is staying, could be family pressure as we have a wedding in 2 months time. he said he is paying for this himself so not asking me to contribute besides I have taken money from joint accounts. so do I wait for him to leave so he is feeling guilty and then negotiate settlement or do I tell him to go and negotiate before he goes - I need to get the best deal I think.

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issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:37

opps sorry posted twice

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Snapespotions · 04/10/2014 09:38

I have told him twice if he does not want to be here to go but he stays ,why?

Because he can. You need to kick him out, sorry. :(

issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:40

yes but when will be the best time see above

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/10/2014 09:41

Anyone who pages the MN website can see your message but, as everyone has an anonymous username, you can't be identified unless your username is too close to your real name and/or you put too many unique details in your posts.

You don't have to ask for a divorce in order to tell him to leave your home. He's behaving extremely badly and you don't need the stress.

Regarding 'losing everything'.... there are some basic rules but you will need a solicitor to go through your specific case. One of the rules of marital assets is that anything brought to the marriage - pre-owned property, pensions, cash assets etc - is not normally classed as marital. The longer the marriage goes on and the more the other party contributes, the more claim they have. In your case, a pre-owned house should be relatively safe. However, by making him joint owner of the other properties he has a reasonable claim to those. The concept of spousal maintenance has rather gone by the wayside.

That said, couples are usually advised to go to mediation. Given that he is allegedly sorry for his behaviour and his attention is diverted with an allegedly ill girlfriend, you may find you can make him a less generous cash settlement and he'll grab it and run.

The Law Society website has a search function where you can look for family law specialists in your area. A personal recommendation is the best, however. Have you spoken to friends or family about your plans? Or are you keeping his grubby secret out of shame?

CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/10/2014 09:44

There is no 'best time' to tell him to leave. There can be a big gap between separation and divorce. Separated you owe him nothing & he has no claims. However, you would be advised to change your will because, as your surviving spouse, if anything were to happen to you he'd be quids in.

Jinglebells99 · 04/10/2014 09:46

What a mess. What a horrible man. It sounds like he wants half of your assets. How old are you both? Did you say he is 25 years younger than you? You do need to get him out of your life and with as little of your money and assets as possible.

Quitelikely · 04/10/2014 09:48

I think he is using you for your money. Relationships are based on love, respect and trust. Without all three intact the relationship crumbles.

He is going to do very well out of you because he will get a big lump of your assets. I believe that if he cheated and you can prove it he pays costs associated with that.

Please get rid of this man I think he is sad because his lover is dying.

issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:52

she is not dying she is lying to him but that is not the point anyone know a good solicitor south of the river - london?

i think I need to get my finances sorted first

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/10/2014 09:53

@Quitelikely. Divorce these days is very much 'no fault'. The OP's DH could have been caught in bed with a trio of strippers and it wouldn't materially affect the final financial settlement as far as a court is concerned. The only place it potentially comes into play is in mediation.

This man clearly has no shame .... yet.... and so there's no leverage. However, I'm sure someone who claims to be a devoted follower of a religion has quite a big morally hypocritical soft underbelly that can be easily exploited.

issie11 · 04/10/2014 09:53

I have spoken to one friend, the only one I have but she has been fantastic so supportive

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/10/2014 09:56

Glad you have a friend at least. Must say, I would love to know how you got involved with this sly man in the first place. Don't feel obliged to satisfy my curiosity, however... I'm just nosey. :)

juneau · 04/10/2014 09:56

I'd kick him out. Why on earth would you want to be with this man who you admit you hate, is boring, and not only cheats on you, but married another woman and got her pregnant! Find yourself a solicitor and also please work on your self-esteem. You are getting nothing but grief from this relationship, so stand up for yourself and get rid of this cock-lodger once and for all.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/10/2014 09:58

BTW.... yes, get your finances sorted. You say you've dealt with the joint account which is good. I don't know how the joint properties were organised at the time. Was it documented that it was your retirement & redundancy money paying for them? I would also suggest that you run a credit report via Experian or similar. The type of person who leads a double life is not above taking out loans & CCs in other people's names

issie11 · 04/10/2014 10:42

hi no he has been good with his money he gave me all he earned I control all the finances but 2 weeks ago i told him to keep his own money as that was maybe one of the problems in our marriage. He is doing this and has to send quite a lot of money to his parents soon he has said he will do this on his own.

he has never been money orientated but this may change when I put him out so trying to find away to have some answers as to how we split things before I do it so need lots of support

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issie11 · 04/10/2014 10:46

cogitoErgoSometimes - can I email you directly as you seem to know your way around the legal side- if so how

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WildBillfemale · 04/10/2014 10:48

It's unbalanced from the off.

He's of differant faith, 25 years younger than you and you are a very solvent finacially savvy woman.
What did he bring to the table? what did he gain by marrying you?

You don't need to answer but I think you have a major league user here.
All the converting to islam, marrying another under sharia law (without your knowledge) wasn't the marriage you entered into. That contract is well and truly broken. In fact it really sounds like a con artists scam to get money off someone.

Ignore all the major disease claims - all rubbish. Get a top notch solicitor and get rid asap.