Divorce

[Exmouthlady]

After a bit of advice please.
I'm currently seperated from my husband after being married for just a year. He has filed for divorce which I disagree with his reasons, it's not the issue.

My problem is the financial settlement. I appreciate it's a short marriage and thus usually results in a no claim. However, he was always far more financially stable than me.

He owns his own house and a couple of other properties, I'm now renting. During our marriage we also set up 3 businesses together. 2 were joint and 1 was mine.

Anyway, he has offered me 12.5k as full settlement on the basis that I do not claim on the marital home, on either business and allow him to retain all stock for my business.

I also still have possessions at the marital home and he has given me 21 days to remove everything even though he knows I don't have the space in my current home. He has advised my things will be disposed of if I don't take everything.

He earns around 40k a year to my 25k. I am also registered disabled.

He has a solicitor and he knows that I cannot afford a solicitor myself. He has also said I can only have the financial settlement if I agree to his terms of divorce.

I'm feeling blackmailed and bullied by him. I can't talk to him as he refuses to answer my calls, and he has also said that if I do anything to increase his solicitors costs, he will reduce my settlement.

Is anyone able to share any words of wisdom?

I've found a possible solution, but need more time. He was very explicit that I only sign and return any agreement. None of it negotiable and not to contact either him or his solicitor unless it's in agreement.

Legally I think after such a short marriage assets built prior to marriage would be excluded.

Is there an opportunity to claim stock through small claims court if you have proof of ownership? However is the 12.5k supposed to compensate you for the stock and loss of earnings?

If you were an employee you might have an employment claim but would need to have worked for at 2 years on that role.

Re your stuff...it's worth a counter offer for time and his solicitor may ask him to agree.No guarantee however and storage isn't that expensive especially if you can be sure of getting 12.5k.Sometimes walking away is the best solution.It's hard to determine (without details) if a court would award more however it is very costly to get a judgement so if the benefit is marginal then it won't be worth it.

Sadly someone's true character is seen when divorcing, he may have, from the outset, sought ways to protect his income & assets.

Thankfully you have got out sooner and you have a chance ro rebuilt.Your revenge can be a good life going forwards!

I'm seeing a solicitor on Tuesday. We ran the businesses together for 3 years. They were actually my idea. I've never been paid anything from them regardless of the hours I put into them.

The 12.5k doesn't cover stock? Wages or anything. It's to cover debts resultant from the marriage and a sum towards fees to buy my own house. So direct benefit to me personally is minimal.

Was the solicitor appointment helpful?

Hi. Yes. Very informative and helpful. It's worth it for me for her to take my case. She brought up things I hadn't considered. So I'm expecting a battle ahead, but feel better knowing I have the correct legal guidance.

Well done op.