My friend is in an awful situation and I don’t know how to help her. I’ll try and give all necessary details but I don’t want to out her so I may change a few or be a bit vague.
She’s been married for nearly 30 years. Adult children, all left home. She has no other family of her own and no friends in the area they moved to (a long way from where we were living when we met, and from where I still live).
About 7ish years ago her Dh had an affair and left her. He used all their savings to buy a property for himself and the ow.
The affair between her Dh and Ow ended about 5 years ago, and I don’t know how, but the ow ended up with the property. The Dh came home to my friend. The Dh had lost his job by this time so they sold the family home and downsized.
They now live totally separate lives in a small house. They never speak unless they absolutely have to. He doesn’t work, and has said he feels no obligation to contribute financially as he did his bit earlier in the marriage! She works hard in 2 low paid jobs.
She’s desperately unhappy and struggling and feels utterly trapped and despondent. She wants to downsize again to a cheaper area and a small flat but she’s afraid that, just by him having lived with her for the last few years, he will be entitled to some money. She’s been to see a solicitor who will charge nearly £200 per hour so she can’t afford that.
I’ve suggested CAB and WA to her. What else can I suggest or do to help her? Thank you.