I've decided I want to end my relationship with DH (various problems been going on for a while, but it's not a DV/abuse issue). However I'm terrified and don't know where I stand legally with anything! I don't know where I will stand with housing and money. I'm concerned I won't be able to survive as I've become so financially dependent on him.
We have 1 DS together who's currently 4 yrs old. He's in preschool 16hrs a week. He starts in reception at the local primary school this Sept.
Since having my DS I gave up work and became a SAHM. This was a joint decision made purely because we weren't entitled to any childcare help and me returning to work would have cost us money rather than helping us. I have NO personal income right now (apart from monthly child benefit).
We have a joint bank account that is currently nearly £2k overdrawn. I have my own bank account too, which we just use for putting away savings. But there's currently nothing in it. We have debts - a debt consolidation loan in his name, two catalogue accounts in my name, a credit card in his name.
We rent privately. I am not named as an official tenant, just a 'permitted occupant'. Because I don't work the letting agent wouldn't allow me to be a joint tenant. We had to take this house as we were being evicted from our previous rented property (just because landlord wanted to sell up, we weren't bad tenants!) and time was running out in finding another suitable home to rent.
My name is solely on some household bills and I am jointly named on other bills. Some are just in his name.
My DH runs his own business with a partner. I am a 25% shareholder in this business (along with DH, his partner and his partners wife). I don't work for the business and take no earnings, but do get dividends which go into our joint account.
I drive but haven't had a car for a couple of years now (we can't afford it, had to sell my car). However, his vehicle is in my name as the registered keeper, but it's also in the business name, so it belongs to me AND the business.
I moved 200 miles away to be with him 6 years ago (we've been together 8 yrs in total, and married nearly 2 yrs). I have no family and no support network where we currently live. My family are not very close knit and wouldn't help me out anyway, even if I still lived there. DH's family are a big close family who look out for each other, all live close by etc.
My DH loves DS, DS loves his dad. He's a good dad so I don't want to take DS away from him and move back to where I came from either.
How do I do this? How do I leave? I'm worried that having no income, debts and no rights to our home will mean I have to stay with him. But I can't take it any more, there's no love left...