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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Husband left me and my teenage children on New Year. I have no idea what to do now. (Content warning: concerns sexual abuse and domestic violence)

345 replies

FrolickingFannyBoots · 06/01/2022 05:39

Hello all lovely ladies on mumset, I really really need some help in a crisis situation please. I have no one to turn to at the moment and am totally alone.

The day before New Year, my husband of almost 20 years walked out on us and went to his parent's house. He has been having an emotional and possible sexual affair for some time I believe and I was suspicious for two years. Typical middle aged man, younger woman scenario. I am 50 and she is early 30's. She has been after him for more than a a year now and has moved moved down to London from Glasgow to be near him. He helped her move here and is now involved
much more closely.

He has become cruel, unkind and heartless toward me, speaking with a different voice, sending me authoritative emails about when he is returning to collect his things and stating that he is not going to divorce yet. The house is in his name and he says he will not sell. I simply do not recognise him and my kids are absolutely devastated.

Last month, we were buying gifts for parents and friends together in a antique shop. He bought a Molton Brown Christmas bauble saying it was for his mum. I thought it was odd as he has never been interested in toiletries. Later that week, I found that and the same set of hand creams he had bought me in a bag with pants, new ladies black t shirts and socks by his desk - I knew it was a bag packed to go to this woman. She is Polish and works in IT. They met at a mutual friend's wedding in the Czech Republic in 2019.

Before he left last week, I tried to reason with him to save our marriage. I consented to sex ( it's been many months ) but he then basically rammed my legs open, shoved himself inside me, had an orgasm. He came out, turned over and went to sleep. He hurt me. he has never done that before, but because i initially consented to help keep him at home , I cannot claim rape .The next day he said he had angry sex, that he had used me and taken advantage of me. I wish I had recorded this!

He has now kept on and on texting me with accusations of my emotional abuse abuse in arguments; throwing lots and lots of text messages etc at me from the past. He has recorded all out arguments and sent them to me as evidence. But they actually show even in 2018 that I was asking him about our relationship and how unhappy I was. He never replied to the issues I raised properly. I admit I have behaved badly in arguments and shouted but never threatened him in any way.

Last year, he hit me with a bottle after a row which was thrown across the room and caused me extensive bruising all across on my arm, a large hematoma and significant pain. I did not press charges. He says that I am the abusive partner due to my verbal bullying. I do have photos.

He now states he is leaving me but not my children. He tells me he does not love me, never has and wishes he never married me. He is demanding to return to the house after leaving last week to see my 3 teenage kids aged 14,16 and 17. They do not want to see him.

He says he will come back, see them, collect his things and go back home to his mum and dad for good. He is insisting on a trial separation and will not divorce me until he is ready. That he will keep
me in in our family home ( an area I really don't like or want to stay in) until my youngest is 18. He is dominating every conversation and interaction we have now. He refuses to respond via text most days and calls me instead when convenient for him. He has suggested that the come home at weekends only and stay at his mums during the week. \he says he will not come home again to stay as I am forcing him into a relationship again where he will be abused by me verbally and I'm a bully. He says alternatively I could leave. Yet just last week he was out with me going for a long walk and a take out coffee.

I have nor slept or eaten at all well since he left. In November, 2019 I just started a new job full time in education after a 17 year break as a stay at home mum. About 2 weeks into this, he started telling me I was awful, how wanted to leave and goaded me every day stating he no longer wanted the relationship and that he was leaving. I ran off on the day he told me day last month and went to my local woods to walk, think and had a drink to calm myself down after he stated he was leaving. He said if I did that again he was leaving.

I believe he has been planning this exit for a long time with this woman. He says he is as his parent's house. I have begged him to come home but he says I am controlling and manipulating him.

I do not know what to do. Should I file for divorce? He is saying that he will work at his parents and come up weekends to see the kids and help with the house but has left me. I do not think that this is helpful as he will be with this woman while I am alone. He is very evasive about the relationship and tells me nothing about it. He has been very secretive for months and months. I was so suspicious- I tried every thing to get evidence.

He wants to wait for the no fault divorce but I do not. He has been so so awful to me and rude every day since I started work. I have a large abdominal hernia and separated abdominal muscles. I need
significant surgery plus have diagnosed mental health conditions and am in in NHS therapy. I am quite weak. He is younger, no health problems. l I live in a small town with no support. I cannot drive and he has taken the car. I have nothing now. I am on compassionate leave from my work as I am trying to help support my children and am too distressed to work in school with the stress. he says I should just go to work as get on as normal.

If anyone could provide me with some advice I would be very grateful. I am at a total loss. I can barely write and it's been a few days now. This man has blind sided me, although I was very suspicious,. He has abandoned me and the children taking no responsibility.

He is just blaming and accusing me saying its all my fault. He will not return and says if he comes back he comes to see the kids and then will go back to his parents. I have no family to help or friends, I am alone here. I had no notion that he would leave like this, he has clearly been encouraged and prompted by this woman to leave me and built up to it He says he wants divorce later but no decision has been made. My two elder kids are in their final year of exams- my son Year 11, daughter Yr 13. This is so so stressful for them but they don't see the long term consequences. He says he will never be reconciled to me ever again.

I have £600 in my account and that's it. Should I apply for a divorce? What should I do ? I can't have him here just waling back in and dominating me. He has said that if he stays, he will have sex with her and then come back regularly after 3 days. He then asks me if I am in love with him and talks about our cats. He is expecting me to just carry on as normal while he leaves me with no support or help with my physical problems. The house is in need of real repair and renovation, it's in quite a state and he's just left me with it here in a poor condition,. I cannot run it alone with no notice. I have stated all this to him in texts but he ignores me.

Sorry this is long. I am desperate. I have no money, no car, friends of support, My job is minimum wage due to my physical problem of my hernia stopping me working in my old career as a teacher. My DH has literally upped and gone and turned into this awful awful man who now thinks I'm scum. He is so rude to me now and just exopect me to continue as normal without him. He told me he said in his mind- "just one more row over something small and that's it" Yet he is now making me go over and over all out rows from 4-5 years ago. I gave up my career, my health and life to move to Kent from London to facilitate his life. What should I do? Should I cut contact? I am just devastated by this.

Thank you for any advice. I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
moanymyrtle · 06/01/2022 10:38

Sorry you are going through this. Get own bank account, apply benefits and CM. That you aren’t responsible for mortgage / house may not be a bad thing as it means you could just leave once your benefits come through. There are pros and cons to staying in the house but you can get housing benefit for the period of the divorce / while house is sold or until he buys you out. My friend who was in an abusive situation did this she just took the kids and rented. It didn’t affect her share when the divorce went through as her housing needs were only met temporarily by benefits and that would end once she got the capital sum. It may be less stressful for your dc to move than have months of him being controlling and abusive and coming by the house whenever he wants. You need to register your claim on the house with the land registry so he cannot sell or remortgage it without you getting your share. You do not need to have any contact with him. The dc are old enough to sort their own contact out with him and a court wouldn’t force kids that age to see him. You may be able to get legal aid due to the domestic violence and then any contact he needs with you can be via a solicitor or just set up an email address and block him elsewhere. Change all your passcodes for phone, bank accounts, websites etc. He will have to sell the house if he can’t afford to buy you out but it will take months for that to go through the courts. If I were you I would rent for the duration of the legal process. It may mean 12-18 months of being on low wage /UC/ housing benefit but you will be safe and it will be a calm environment for your DC and a healthier situation for you. Whatever you plan to do do not tell him, just get things in place and do it. I don’t think it’s too near to exams to move in Feb and you need to weigh up a move with the stress on dc of staying in what sounds like a toxic home environment. Maybe you can move somewhere with transport links. Make sure you are in contact with DC schools about what is going on. They will have been through this with other families and may be able to offer extra support. My friends ex was furious that she was able to start again with benefits and rent a new house. It was the best thing she did to take his power away and get herself into a situation where she could just wait for him to realise it was costing him more having to run the family home and blocking the sale / divorce than cooperating. use a benefits calculator to see what you will get and also how that will change when your oldest finishes school. Do reach out to friends or even parents of your dc friends you will be surprised how people will help. If you decide to move out then start moving stuff to a friends house eg spare bedding, clothes, kitchen stuff he won’t notice so if you had to go in a hurry you wouldn’t be starting with nothing. My friends ex refused to let her take any furniture even the dc beds so she had to get everything from charity places. You can legally stay in the house and may be able to get an order blocking him from the house but it sounds like it may be an expensive headache keeping it on. I suspect the thought you could move out and start over with the DC leaving him with all the bills and repairs as well as CM to pay hasn’t occurred to him.

SeasonFinale · 06/01/2022 10:39

Get advice.

It may well be to your advantage not to divorce yet if he really is prepared to pay for your housing and other expenses fully until the kids are 18.

As regards the rape I think OP is saying she consented but it was awful. I can't see anywhere where she said she withdrew consent at any point other than the next day he admits he took advantage of her offerring to have sex with him.

The reasons for his leaving are irrelevant in some ways as it sounds like an unhappy marriage. The kids will feel like they dint want to see him initially and this may continue but you have to accept they may not feel the same going forward as he is their Dad. Please do not make them feel guilty if they do want to maintain a relationship with him.

So it goes back tk getting the best advice you can from a solicitor and about benefits which may be available either now or if he stops paying towards the house.

Filing soon may actually end up not being in your best interests. Work out and do what is best for you.

emeraldjones · 06/01/2022 10:42

I don't know how to post a link but a lady called morelegsthanme on mums net has been going through similar times. If you can read her threads (four now) it may give you some hope. She was devastated when it happened but over the last months she has become so much stronger and coming to terms with it.

moremoony · 06/01/2022 10:43

Hope you are getting some sleep OP.

holrosea · 06/01/2022 10:48

OP, I am so sorry that you are going through this and that your husband has shown such horrendous true colours. Nothing I can type here can respond to everything he has said and done (over time, it appears), but as other OP have said, you need legal advice ASAP.

Get onto this site :
rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-information/family-law/

They have very detailed information and hundreds of PDF you can download under "Marriage, divorce and finances". Whatever he says, you are married, all assets, finance and pensions are 50/50 as a starting point.

I believe you should follow advice and get a non molestation order so that you can have time to think and get your head straight. He is no longer welcome at the house and if he wishes to see his kids it sound slike they are old enough to make arrangements to see him elsewhere. You need to focus on you. Flowers

Mylifehasimploded · 06/01/2022 10:59

Put a claim in for child maintenance, and also check what benefits you can claim. Don’t worry too much about the house situation just yet, it’s very early days to be deciding what happens with it…..although he’s talking shite saying you have to live in it until the kids reach 18. As a PP says, that’s so you get a smaller % at that time. Just ignore that, and speak to a solicitor. Would you be entitled to legal aid? It’s not ideal, but may be worth considering.
Unfortunately he is allowed into the house as his name is on the deeds. The police could only advise me to call them if I ever felt in danger as he had the right to enter.
Also, contact a domestic abuse charity, they will help you.
Take copies of all paperwork such as investments and pensions as they have a tendency to ‘disappear’ further down the line.

jfhguseorjgijaerigjarfgj · 06/01/2022 11:00

Call women's aid/ local DV org. They can refer you to solicitors and also help you access legal aid, which you should be entitled to as there is abuse.

If you want a non molestation order, DV assist is on 0800 195 8699.

You are entitled to a share of the house. Register your home rights with land registry ASAP.

Applesonthelawn · 06/01/2022 11:03

So sorry OP, many posters on here (myself included) know what it is to be blindsided by this and the evolution that lies ahead of you over the coming few years. I just want to say that it is inevitable, so don't fight it - go with it. Believe that you will come out of this stronger, with a life that is well worth living, happy even, much as it feels impossible to believe that now.
He is clearly trying to show you he is in charge. But he's not. Do not sing to his tune to appease him - it will do no good anyway, will only humiliate you, and will continue to allow him to believe he is in charge. Take control. You decide the timelines, when he sees the kids, when the house is sold, etc. You get the information about finances and see a lawyer. You decide whether to report the rape. You are your priority. He has taken leave of his senses and is not worth your efforts any longer. That mind shift is hard to put in place but once you're there, things start to become easier.

Weeteeny · 06/01/2022 11:14

You poor thing, this is a horrible time for you.

There is good advice on this thread, take control if you can and stop letting this excuse of a man dictate to you. He has spent years beating you down and making you believe that he holds all the aces , he doesn't.

And trust me you will have a happier and better.life apart from this man.

StellaGibson118 · 06/01/2022 11:14

Not sure if this has been said as Iv only read your comments but do not entertain his phone calls! He is doing them to avoid you having evidence against him. He is clearly very evidence minded as he's been collecting it against you. If he wants to speak to you he can email or text.

StellaGibson118 · 06/01/2022 11:19

You should be able to qualify for legal aid, please contact a solicitor for a legal aid assessment as soon as you can. Seek free legal advice in the meantime and contact some domestic abuse charities. Scour for any evidence you have and put it altogether somewhere like a new email address he doesnt know the password to or something like that. Change your passwords to everything in case there's a chance he knows them.

I know it's overwhelming to have a list of things to do when you're in this position and struggling, but it's the only way forward. If there's anyone you can confide in to help you with the process that would be the ideal option.

HelenGraham2121 · 06/01/2022 11:23

Doesn't matter whose name the house is in given youre married.

Starting point for division of all assets is 50-50.

You need to speak to a good family law, divorce solicitor ASAP.

I don't think he can prevent you divorcing him and the house benng sold.

ilovebrie8 · 06/01/2022 11:31

Oh wow OP so sorry to hear this, he sounds really nasty and in time you will be glad to be shot of him. He's a fool a much younger woman chasing him...classic...you said she has been after him for a year. I saw similar with a friend same as your situation a much younger polish woman chased her husband he was much older and had money. Don't get me wrong it can happen with any nationality but a lot are money motivated...and will chase older men and you said she has moved from Glasgow to be with him! Stay strong and get good legal advice he is a nasty piece of work...

AgathaX · 06/01/2022 11:33

Repeating what others have said, get legal advice (you seem very unaware of your rights and entitlements so you really need this asap), speak to the police about the abuse etc and the sooner the better. Gather together all important documents and financial statements, including pensions and put somewhere he won't be able to find them. Assume he may enter your house when you're not there to retrieve them so make sure they're secure.
Reach out to someone for support, your dc godmother, a colleague, a neighbour. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised that people will want to offer their support.
You have good reason to add bolts etc to your doors for yours and your dc safety. He's shown himself to be violent and abusive, so it's really not unreasonable. Legally I don't think you can change locks, but beefing up your security because you feel vulnerable is ok.
Stop engaging with him. Contact via email only now, and only what is relevant to your separation/divorce, or your dc. Don't be drawn in to his abusive games.
Look after yourself. Eat, keep hydrated, try to rest, lay off alcohol.

CornishGem1975 · 06/01/2022 11:41

@SeasonFinale

Get advice.

It may well be to your advantage not to divorce yet if he really is prepared to pay for your housing and other expenses fully until the kids are 18.

As regards the rape I think OP is saying she consented but it was awful. I can't see anywhere where she said she withdrew consent at any point other than the next day he admits he took advantage of her offerring to have sex with him.

The reasons for his leaving are irrelevant in some ways as it sounds like an unhappy marriage. The kids will feel like they dint want to see him initially and this may continue but you have to accept they may not feel the same going forward as he is their Dad. Please do not make them feel guilty if they do want to maintain a relationship with him.

So it goes back tk getting the best advice you can from a solicitor and about benefits which may be available either now or if he stops paying towards the house.

Filing soon may actually end up not being in your best interests. Work out and do what is best for you.

He doesn't have great form, I wouldn't be agreeing to a family-based agreement on house and expenses at all. He could pull that out from under her at any moment.
FrolickingFannyBoots · 06/01/2022 13:19

Thank you so much to everyone for all their messages, I real y appreciate it. I will go through them all very carefully today and take all the wonderful advice.

I assumed I would have to stay in the house until my youngest was 18 in order to give them stability but it's good to know that I may have more choices. I will set the divorce going now.

Unfortunately, I only have £600 in my bank account. I have no savings and no family or car so he has left me in a very vulnerable position. I can use this money to file for divorce online? A poster suggested that and maybe this is good way forward.

I will block him completely and only accept emails for essentials like child contact. I have had so much support here- wow! I am not really looking after myself that well, just eating minimal amounts but I am trying to be brave.

The NHS have refused my hernia surgery on the grounds it is cosmetic. I also have abdominal muscles which are very separated and they need to be closed. I am currently going on a video call with the surgeons to see what they can do now as I formally complained. Yes, I have a support belt but I have been like this for a number of years so I usually wear strong shaper underwear and very floaty skate dresses which covers me.

I will contact all the agencies including Women's Aid and my find the free advice.

He wants to spend the week days at his parent's house and come up at weekends. I said no to that.

OP posts:
Sidehustle99 · 06/01/2022 13:24

Don't spend your last money on the divorce. It can wait until you know what benefits etc you are entitled to. A few days won't make much difference OP. You sound much more resolved and positive this afternoon. Keep going one step at a time Thanks

NettleTea · 06/01/2022 13:28

apply for universal credit now online too.

StellaGibson118 · 06/01/2022 13:57

If you dont have any money you can get the fees of divorce covered for you. I got mine for free after an assessment.

StellaGibson118 · 06/01/2022 13:57

Oh and I did the divorce entirely online

LetsGoDoDoDo · 06/01/2022 14:17

Well done OP for refusing your STBXH to come home at weekends, it sounds like you are gaining strength.

Please get some legal advice before you make your next move. Due to domestic abuse, you should be eligible for legal aid. You also need a concrete exit plan and a solicitor will help you to formulate a good one.

onemoredayplease · 06/01/2022 14:28

I seem to think my divorce costs came out my final settlement?? A while ago now but I had very little money at the time and he was an arse. Delayed everything, argued everything...I'm pretty sure costs came out the settlement. Can't think how else I would have done it.
There's so much good advice here. I have nothing to add except reassure you that he is doing what all of them do. Trying to control and get the outcome they want. Things will get better but it's going to be hard for a while. I kept a brief journal for a while, that helped as when he was suddenly being nice I could look back and draw strength from when he hadn't been so nice. Big hugs, know you deserve better and don't take anything he says at face value. Always think through why he is saying something, just think what he gains by it. X

FrolickingFannyBoots · 06/01/2022 14:38

I have been a TA for only 2 months since November and have no savings. Bringing up my children and my not so great health has prevented me from returning to actual full- time teaching.

I am in a very vulnerable position and I can't stop shaking. My doctor has taken me off work for 2 weeks and prescribed me sertraline to help with my anxiety. I am still in shock. I am seeing the CAB as well.

I do not know what to do about the DV side of things. I did consent and was coerced really into sex. It was absolutely awful, when I stood the following morning by the end of the bed, stated he had taken advantage of me and used me for angry sex. I just didn't know where to put myself. I had wanted to reconcile and thought sex might help but he was aggressive. He has not apologised to me. No, he didn't rape me but I felt vioated as he aggressively had sex which I wasn't expecting. But I have lots of photos of my arm which
is good although I don't want to use it.

OP posts:
FrolickingFannyBoots · 06/01/2022 14:44

Onemore day- yes thanks, I will keep my wits about me from now on. I trusted him and although there were issues in the marriage, I never expected him to record our rows, control what I see financially, hide everything and plan to leave me and my children in this way. Hi s parents are siding with him so I sadly their relationship with my children will now always be damaged.

My doctor has given me two weeks away from work through stress and prescribed low dose Sertraline to help me cope as I am being treated for anxiety anyway.
Fantastic advice thank you so much everyone! I will follow it all and re read it to keep my strong. xx I will continue to post.

OP posts:
oldstudentmum · 06/01/2022 14:47

Like the posters above it’s imperative you apply for universal credit, mainly for your children and you to be able to live. He know won’t care if you have no money. I applied for anything I was entitled to, roof over head food heat. He i bet has been planing, he has more than likely been bad mouthing you to those that will listen. He does this so that he can look the poor victim he HAD to leave. Take his power away, you can do this. I did I found the strength I got through it and I have come out on top. He has nothing only a lot of debt and numerous ex girlfriends to boot. X

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