Separating practicalities/UC etc

[Edi111]

Hi wise people on the internet.
I am desperately searching for the answers online but struggling to find them all (perhaps a bit frantic!) I am going to see CAB but thought someone here might have tips
I think I have reached the end with my husband.
If we split we need to sell the house and divide the assets...what do I then do in terms of a house, go to council or private rent in short term for example?! Stay with family?!
I would want to claim universal credit but I am clueless as to what help I could get.
I work part time (22 hours per week)
We have 4 children with quite high childcare due to twins but we get help from my parents too.
I don't know if I'd be looking to buy a shared ownership property or looking to rent and get help or would I want to get a local authority property. I don't know if I'd be entitled to anything as I'd have money from my house sale, is that correct?
So confused so any help much appreciated!!

Unlikely you'd be a high priority for social housing, but nothing to stop you applying. If it still works the same way as it used to, you'd be assessed for need and given a banding, and be able to 'bid' for properties. Your banding would probably be pretty low if you're going to be able to afford private rents or to consider buying.

Would you definitely need to sell, or might your dh move out and you potentially buy him out? If you're primary carer for the children with greater housing need, it might be that a fairer division of the assets would be for you to keep the house and not make claims on his pension etc. You need to see a solicitor about what to hope/aim for really.

You need to speak to a solicitor, you may get more than 50%.

And don't leave the marital home until financial matters are settled legally unless you're in danger.

Ok thank you I hadn't really considered that we wouldn't just split it so I'll talk to a solicitor. I definitely couldn't afford to buy him out as a my salary is too low and I couldn't afford monthly payments

Well think about it this way - if your earning potential will be more limited by childcare demands and by decisions jointly taken during the marriage (eg that you went part-time while he stayed full-time, therefore you took a financial hit to your income and pension pot) then it's really not fair to divide assets equally, because you come out of it in a worse position for supporting yourself & provide for the children than he does. What's fair is for you to get a bit more to set yourself up so you are on a similar footing.

All the time you own a house you are unlikely to be eligible for help with housing (there are limited circumstances when you can claim but mostly you can't). It sounds like you will need to sell and split the equity, this may be more than 50%. Have you any idea of the equity? If more than a certain amount you will be ineligible for benefits, but the threshold is fairly high if you are paying for childcare. Once you house sells it is likely you will have needed to find a private let or move in with family if possible (this would be easier as you can coordinate it easier) once everything is finalised you can look at more permanent housing options