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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

Dh is leaving me - bolt out of the blue

992 replies

aleC4 · 21/08/2016 23:12

That's it really. We celebrated 15 years married 2 weeks ago. I thought we had a happy marriage. I still love him the same as I did when we met but apparently he doesn't feel the same anymore. He thinks the works of me as a mate but the spark is gone and he no longer loves me.
We have just come back from a week's holiday and had lots of fun but apparently it was just like friends and he can't pretend anymore.
I feel utterly gutted and am so so sad for my children that they are going to have to go through this. I can't think straight at the moment, I just feel sick.
He wants to tell them tomorrow and move out to his dad's round the corner. It is going to destroy my beautiful children.

OP posts:
dodiebantock · 10/11/2016 22:51

Yes good advice to stow away personal effects - it would be horrible to think he had looked through it. I would be tempted to put post it notes in cupboards and drawers with just two choice words on! He couldn't even bring this up with you !! ( actually horrid me would be thinking of laying hand grenades but FO notes will do!) I rather think everything in his backyard love nest is losing its rosy glow ....evidenced by him being "snappy". If all was well in his world he would not be like this - rather still floating around being "loved up". Snappy behaviour is not the way happy contented people act. Methinks the tiny cracks have begun their destruction. Next week he will be in the "real world" coping with strains of living together, childcare (hers) paying rent and a mortgage...see how snappy he gets then! Rise above it - don't let him see it affects you one dot (even though it might). Fingers very tightly crossed for good mortgage news soon! We are all on your side rooting for you. Go girl!!

aleC4 · 11/11/2016 06:29

Yes I did wonder if all was not well in paradise. She is not moving in with him, well certainly not at the moment, as it is too far from her work and kids schools. Not sure the relationship is quite at that stage yet although I felt rage like I'd never know when dd said she had picked her out a dressing gown out for his house! He should be doing that not asking her. She is nothing to do with my kids!
Apparently he is having a house warming party. How nice. God knows who he'll invite, most of is friends want nothing to do with him.

OP posts:
Cary2012 · 11/11/2016 07:03

Thing is AleC, sneaking around having an illicit affair is one thing, quite exciting and romantic I imagine. But now it's no longer that, it's a day to day relationship with all the usual boring stuff to deal with, finances, kids, practicalities...so his previous escape from reality has been replaced with a new reality. On top of knowing how he's treated you and his kids. Add to that the isolation from his friends, your family, perhaps the disapproval of some of his family, and it's obvious why he's a bit snappy.

Also your marriage grew, built on a solid foundation, you shared the mundane stuff from the start. These two muppets have only had the fun up until now, there isn't the background, the foundation to build on, so of course the cracks will show sooner rather than later.

They will probably put on fake smiles and pretend it's all great, as my ex and his OW did. But people who know them will see through it, and even more maddening for them, they will know people can see straight through it.

Also remember that he justified leaving by telling himself that he deserved happiness and it couldn't be with you. You, quietly coping, building a happy, secure home for your kids has blown his myth right out of the water. Friends and family are full of admiration for the strong, loving woman and mum you are. They are looking at him, shaking their heads and thinking, 'silly, silly man.' By seeing you coping, he is facing exactly how much he thrown away. My ex was bitterly angry with me for being ok, for coping. But it's what we do, we have no choice.

He will, in the next few months wake up and realise what he's done. And he will probably, like my ex, become even angrier with you. Why? Because it reflects his own stupidity and selfishness.

You'll be fine, your kids will be fine. There is no doubt about that.

Kidnapped · 11/11/2016 10:41

Great post by Cary.

I think they didn't really think things through - how do we look after 7 kids between us on not much money? She might be claiming tax credits or housing benefit if she has 5 kids and doesn't earn much and that would reduce if he were to move in. He would have to come up with the shortfall. What a shame, eh?

You could have a social gathering you know, OP. Not the same night as his housewarming of course, but a nice dinner with close friends or something to celebrate getting your mortgage on your own.

thisisafakename · 11/11/2016 14:26

Hi AleC. I was just wondering why you are not going for a divorce now, rather than just the separation agreement? Now that you know the true extent of what he has done, start divorce proceedings. You have already agreed finances, so it should be pretty straightforward.

Those of you commenting on the equity split, the OP has had legal advice and even if in your case, you ended up with a larger share of the equity, you have no idea of the value of the house and the amount of equity in this case, because the OP has not disclosed this. Nor do you know the H's salary or the OP's salary or any of their outgoings. There is a lot of misinformation on this thread about what people are entitled to on divorce. It depends on a variety of factors, the most important of which are the needs of both parties and the welfare of any children. However, within that calculation, the court would be looking at what the husband needs too. Fraid so. Sensibly though the OP has not engaged with PPs about the financial split, which is sensible. Someone on an internet forum with no clue of the available assets really cannot give you any guidance. Your solicitor can (and has done).

Mamia15 · 11/11/2016 18:24

Those who have commented on the equity split are speaking from experience.

thisisafakename · 11/11/2016 20:55

Those who have commented on the equity split are speaking from experience

But how can you, when you don't know the amount of equity or the value of the house? If a house has 100k equity, giving the primary carer 75% is not unreasonable, if she has a lower income than the other spouse and requires a larger property. If however there is 600k equity and the parties have similar incomes, a 75/25 split may well be unfair.

I am a family law solicitor (currently non-practising) and I do have some concerns about the myths that are sometimes peddled on MN that are simply untrue. The biggest of these is that the primary carer will always be able to keep the matrimonial home at least until the DC are 18. Completely untrue. Sometimes there is no other option because there is insufficient equity to enable them to rehouse. However, there is certainly no presumption in favour of it. Other myths are that SAHMs are always entitled to long-term maintenance and that the court will order a minimum 70/30 split in favour of the primary carer. All this is trotted out even when no details have been given of the value of any assets. People say things like 'get a better lawyer' if someone has been advised in a way that does not tally with the MN myths. This can ultimately be damaging and lead to unrealistic expectations and people spending money that could be better used elsewhere.

I also (not so much on this thread though) worry about some posters advising people to instruct aggressive lawyers. I used to work for a so-called SHL. She was very aggressive, litigious and tenacious. Clients loved it, but they paid through their nose for it. Might be worth it in very very high net worth cases, rarely going to be worth it in 'normal' cases. My boss' favourite was 'divorce races', ie where she knew the other side was going to file for divorce, she would draft up a petition, send someone up to court to go in front of a judge to explain why it had to be issued that same day, hire an inquiry agent to personally serve it at the respondent's workplace etc. All very impressive and clients lapped it up because she was fighting their corner, being aggressive, pissing their ex off. However, who issues divorce proceedings makes zip all difference to finances. So she diddled them out of £5,000 for something that should have cost around £750.

I don't know if I would have been considered a SHL. Probably not. I tried to be constructive rather than litigious for the most part. I settled the vast majority of my cases through negotiation. My clients might have done better if they had gone to court, they might not. However, they would have had to pay £20k for the privilege of finding out. I would never overstate a case to client, but have seen plenty of lawyers that do (including my former boss). They then have to backpedal at a later date.

expatinscotland · 11/11/2016 21:10

Always knew he was a cheating twat.

aleC4 · 11/11/2016 21:28

Thisisafakename, thank you. That is all. I'm having a tough night tonight and your posts have helped.

OP posts:
PacificOcean · 11/11/2016 21:35

Sorry you're having a tough night, Alec Flowers CakeBrew

thisisafakename · 11/11/2016 21:58

Oh, no problem AleC4. I am glad it was of some help. I am sorry to hear that you are having a tough time. I read through the whole thread earlier and I must say that your children are lucky to have you as a mum. I hope that things get easier for you.

SorenLorensonsInvisibleFriend · 11/11/2016 22:07

I'm sorry you're having a tough night. I only just came across this thread and have read all the way through. What an amazing woman you are. You've constantly prioritised your children's feelings and welfare and made life work, despite everything. I wish you a weekend with many happy moments, and a future where you look back and feel nothing but confidence and pride in yourself for how you've handled this shit. Much as I have fierce loyalty and admiration for my mum who raised five of us, your children will always know where their strength is.

(And your ex is doomed to be miserable, the flighty, selfish, short-sighted fucker..)

aleC4 · 11/11/2016 22:28

Tonight has been so hard because dd has been messaging me from her dad's saying she has really bad earache.
Of course he hasn't thought of buying any calpol. I suggested she ask him if he could go out and get some as there is a late shop very close and his parents were there to watch the dc. She said she asked but he said it was too late. It was 9.00 ffs! I was so cross!
I was going to offer to walk round there with some (can't drive as I have had a drink) but she went to her grandma and she crushed her up a paracetamol and she managed it with a drink.
I am so mad! I hate the thought of her feeling poorly and in pain and not having anything done about it. I wished she was here with me in her own cosy bed.
The best feeling can hope is she has fallen asleep and that he chose and buys some calpol tomorrow.

OP posts:
myfriendnigel · 12/11/2016 08:31

Why on earth didn't he go and get some calpol?
Basic parenting surely? Hope she feels better this morning op-it's a horrible feeling when they are ill and you aren't there-worse I can imagine if
You can't even thirst their other parent to wan to a shop to purchase calpol.Angry
Good post Cary.

Cary2012 · 12/11/2016 09:34

Thisisafakename: I agree with a lot of what you're saying, but I can only speak from experience. I had a SHL. I got an amazing settlement. The whole divorce cost me less than £5K. Would I hire her again? In a heartbeat! She has since acted for a colleague, got her a brilliant deal, same costs involved. That's the way it was for me, so there are SHLs out there who know their stuff inside out and work for their clients without charging the amounts you mentioned. Although I fully acknowledge that there are those who do indeed charge far more than they should.

AleC, hope you're ok. Horrible not to have your poorly DD with you, hope she's better soon and you can have her home to look after her. No excuse about the Calpol, I'd buy a big bottle of the stuff and give to granny for future use just to put your mind at ease.

Try and have a relaxing weekend if you can.

Fig678 · 12/11/2016 23:25

J

aleC4 · 13/11/2016 07:59

Well I had a triumphant moment last night. I fixed the boiler with only google to help me!
It was flashing an error code so I looked it up, turned the relevant switches and it works!
Ex would always have dealt with stuff like that so I felt very proud of myself.

OP posts:
whitehandledkitchenknife · 13/11/2016 08:33

Well done aleC4. With or without a man about, it's always good to know that Google is your friend Grin

myfriendnigel · 13/11/2016 09:01

Go on girl!

aleC4 · 13/11/2016 23:12

So exh stuff is all sitting in boxes and bags in my hallway.
It has made me feel sadder than I thought it would seeing it all picked up there. It feels like the end of a chapter of my life which ultimately has been a very happy chapter.
I need to work hard now to make the next chapter even happier.

OP posts:
user1470296287 · 14/11/2016 06:23

Its heartbreaking going through this process isn't it, I'm 8 months in and 4 weeks away from moving into a little rented house. The family home has a big sold sign outside and its hard to see.
I know my DS and i will be a lot happier long term.
These men are unbelievable in the way they throw the whole family to the side to suit their own selfish needs.
Keep going you are doing a fantastic job of keeping yourself strong and protecting your children from the ugliness of this situation, you should be proud of what you have achieved so far you have come a long way already.
Your husband is the loser all round but is too stupid at the moment to realise this, silly silly man.
Much love to you i think your doing great xx

Kidnapped · 14/11/2016 10:15

It is bound to be sad. You didn't want this and didn't deserve it. But good in a strange way that his stuff will be gone and that's another hurdle completed.

How about redecorating your bedroom in the next few weeks? Just a coat of paint, not talking about spending a fortune. A nice cosy colour. It will make it feel more like your own space.

A woman who can tackle boilers can surely slap a bit of paint on a wall?

kaitlinktm · 14/11/2016 11:49

The day ex came to take away his stuff was one of the most difficult I remember - having to divide up books and cds which we had often bought together. He ended up taking all the cds because I couldn't go through them (he forgot one - Abbey Road I think Grin ). The kids were out. If it's any consolation, it is a low point so things should really improve now.

I felt better once he had moved his rubbish out. Then he moved abroad so I assumed he didn't want anything he had left behind in the loft etc and it felt good taking it to the tip and whazzing it into those huge skips!

Charleymouse · 14/11/2016 12:19

AleC4, just caught up with this. You are doing brilliantly and coping so well, the kids are a credit to you and you being there for them is what they need. They will take things out on you as it is you that is there for them picking up the pieces and being strong and as much as you might not always feel it to them it is so.

Hope you get the mortgage news you want and hope he has not messed you about today collecting everything.

As we used to say "this too shall pass" look after yourself in all this as I know you will putting everyone else first. Take care xxx

PacificOcean · 14/11/2016 12:22

Well done Alec for acknowledging that, however it may have ended, your marriage was overall a happy one. It's tempting to re write history at these times, but better I think to remember that you were happy, you really were, even if it ended sadly.