Op
@MarkRuffaloCrumble has a fair point about the 16k cap but I would still seek to get it. You said you can’t stay at your parents indefinitely and if you found a place of your own, by the time you had paid a bond / deposit and a months rent, you’d likely be around the 16K cap mark anyway or near to it.
But I think it’s going to be a moot point. Emptying the bank account shows he has absolutely no concern for you and the children at all. He is punishing the children AND you. He must be a real control freak.
And has for his Mother...... Jesus..... She talked him into giving you £200 !!!? She hasn’t supported you or the kids !? Either he has given her a completely lop side view of the facts or she’s as heartless as he is. I’m veering to the latter.
It’s a bank holiday weekend. Things are closed for a few days. Take the children out for a long walk. Take them to the park. Play with them. And don’t let more than two hours go by without telling them you love them.
Thank your parents for their support and tell them you love them. The love coming back from your children and your parents will lift you up !!!!
Then come Tuesday, get a grip, get on the phone, all day if you have to and get things done and don’t take any crap off anyone.......
Embellish things if you need to, I.e. ‘ Your parents say you can’t stay ‘ ‘ You’ve been cut off from money, your parents have no money and you need to live and support the children ‘ ‘ Your husband is being abusive ‘
My personal view is this: Get a SHL and get her, ( Get a woman solicitor and not a male one ) to write him a letter stating that since he had taken the 40K out of the joint account, he can keep it and you are going to seek full equity and possession of the house AND generous maintenance payments for the children AND spousal support AND a chunk of his pension AND you are prepared to go all the way to the high court !!!!
He’s been so fucking stupid it’s rediculous.......
He forced you out of the marital home by being abusive to you and abusive to your daughter.
He immediately emptied the bank accounts of 40K leaving you with no way to support your children.
He only put back in a paltry £200 after being advised, told by his mother.
Now......
When you get a solicitor, they will clap their hands with glee, because it will be money for old rope, it will be such an easy case to win, it’s untrue !!!!
Every thing he has done up to now has been indefensible !!!! If HE gets a solicitor, his solicitor will also clap his hands with glee thinking, ‘ I’m going to make some big money off this chump ‘
He thinks the ball is in his court, it isn’t !!!! The ball and the court and the pavilion are yours.
Enjoy a few days with the kids. Take your mind of the situation and think good, light thoughts.
Then come Tuesday under go a personality transformation for the sake of your children and chase things down like a rabid, starving she - wolf.....
Be strong.