Am new here. I would really appreciate some advice, I’m sure there are some that have been in similar situations. So I have 2 kids, age 9 and 6 and live we with their dad, my partner. We’ve been together for 13 years. It’s not a happy union anymore and I desperately want to separate from him. He is a heavy drinker which has caused all sorts of problems over the years ( approx £5-600 per month on booze) he is generally very lazy and happy to sit in the chair or go out whilst I have brought up the kids. I’m not a high earner and have worked part time since having my boys, I’ve asked to increase my hours at work but my manager has said no not now. We are not married because his best friend (who is an alcoholic) doesn’t like me as I’ve objected to the drinking and so he refused to be his best man so my partner said if he is not best man he doesn’t want to get married (there have been many other reasons aswell) I did once want to marry him but not now!! My question is I guess how do people survive financially after a separation like this, I have no savings of my own although I am on the house deeds. My salary gets eaten up by the house and kids ( we have no joint account, his choice not mine) so not a lot of spare cash. I feel pretty desperate and trapped. Either I spend my life unhappy with an alcoholic or I live on the bread line. Would appreciate any advice