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Relationships

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

Partner has secret bank account

19 replies

Kelly202467 · 25/08/2023 10:38

My partner of 18 years, who is 30 years older than me met when I was 17 and he was 47.
He got some inheritance from his father quite a few thousand about 5 years ago.
He has always been in control of the money, after 16 years I finally have a bank account (I know that this wasn't normal couple behaviour not letting me have access to money and took a long time for him to actually allow a bank account a shared one before I would ask for money and give in detail everything I was buying and how much it cost).

I know that his father left him the money, we're not married. But he regularly spends hundreds every month on his hobby there is packages coming though the post every few days.

I on the other hand how to make sure to that the bills are paid, children have everything they need and have treats out ect
And even if he gets a parking/speeding fine he will take it out of the shared money and then on the same day spend £350 out of his own bank account on something for himself. And he insists that he has £50 each week out of our shared money to spend on his hobby. Whist also spending hundreds out of his own account.

If I bring it up he'll get all defensive and start shouting he can do whatever he likes with his money.
Even now he'll ring me up when he's out ( I dread my ringtone) and start going on at me about the money in our shared account going on and on at me until I have to explain what I've brought and why we needed it, like they other day I needed to get my daughter I scientific calculator, he wasn't happy.

I know this isn't normal couple behaviour, I just needed to tell someone, I am really isolated, telling someone in person would be to scary, to admit that I live like this.

I wondered if anyone had any ways how I should go about this.

OP posts:
Richmondgal · 25/08/2023 10:41

The only way to deal with it is contact a solicitor and get a divorce asap
how on earth can you waste your life with this idiot

cocksstrideintheevening · 25/08/2023 10:42

You as I am sure you are aware are in a very vulnerable position. Is the home owned, are you on the deeds?

Start with Home - Women's Aid (womensaid.org.uk) they will be able to advise you. You need to leave the relationship.

Do you work?

Home - Women's Aid

Women's Aid is a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services and build a future where domestic violence is not tolerated.

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/

cocksstrideintheevening · 25/08/2023 10:42

Richmondgal · 25/08/2023 10:41

The only way to deal with it is contact a solicitor and get a divorce asap
how on earth can you waste your life with this idiot

They're not married

RhymesWithTangerine · 25/08/2023 10:44

Oh OP, this is very bad. Do you have enough money to go to a solicitor? You absolutely must go.

NoSquirrels · 25/08/2023 10:46

So you’re 34 and he’s 64, is that right? How many DC, and how d? And you’re not married?

You are being financially abused. If you felt you could leave him, would you?

yellowpurplebrown · 25/08/2023 10:46

He's 30 years older, you've got children and you're not married.
You need to get married purely for the financial protection. In the kindest way, he's highly likely to die a long time before you. You need to be his next of kin and widow.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 25/08/2023 10:47

I know that his father left him the money, we're not married

In that case it's his, though obviously his behaviour over "allowing" you to have a bank account at all is unacceptable

A lot depends on whether the children and property (if owned) are yours jointly; if not you're in a very vulnerable position and need proper legal advice sharpish

yellowpurplebrown · 25/08/2023 10:47

And yes as per pp, this is financial abuse you've had for decades.

CrotchetyQuaver · 25/08/2023 10:49

You need to leave him
What's the housing situation, is it his house? How old are your children, presumably all under 18
I think you need to speak to a domestic abuse charity because I would call this abuse.

I fear you are there to keep house, keep him warm in bed and when the time comes to look after him in his old age.
What a selfish man.

RoyKentsTieDyeTop · 25/08/2023 10:50

Do you work?

How many children and what ages?

He is very abusive (and a dirty old man to boot). It’s time to start your own life with the kids away from him.

Patchworksack · 25/08/2023 10:50

There must be a weird power dynamic in your whole relationship. When you met you were still a child and he was middle aged. Do you want to leave him? It sounds like a miserable way to live. Perhaps the freedom project might be a good way to understand the relationship and see yourself as an adult with agency who deserves an equal partnership.

ilovemydogmore · 25/08/2023 10:52

Would he marry you? I don't see a good way out of this I'm afraid

FartSock5000 · 25/08/2023 10:55

@Kelly202467 you were groomed by him and moulded into the perfect, submissive little wifey and now you are older and wiser you are seeing the real world around you.

You are financially abused. What is worse is that you were never important enough to him that he wanted to give you security through marriage. You have been left to raise the kids while he furthered his career and topped up his pension pot but you'll never see a penny of that.

He is a greedy little hoarder who puts himself first always. Only his wants and needs matter. You are nothing but the skivvy who takes care of the house and kids and throws him a shag whenever he wants one.

When do you become important? When are your wants and needs going to matter? Never. Because he will NEVER put your first.

You should leave him. Go out and get yourself into a work and stand on your own 2 feet. Provide a home for your kids and spend YOUR money on whatever you want.

You can continue on with this man because you love him but you are putting yourself into a worse position by doing so. You'll be his live in nurse maid and you'll never be your own person.

If you really loved you as deeply as you want to believe he does then he would make sure you are taken care of before his hobbies. He doesn't so you are lower down on his list of priorities than a stupid hobby. Let that sink in and act on it.

saffronsoup · 25/08/2023 10:57

Have you been working? Do you have your own source of income?

No idea why you got into this relationship in the first place, guessing it must have been for his money/ lifestyle unless it was arranged.

You are still young. Leave, build your own life, build your career, raise your kids. He will have to pay child support so you will have a cushion.

Nocturna · 25/08/2023 11:14

When you were only 17? Is this man safe around your children??

You need to get a job if you haven’t already, earn your own money and get out of there

Kelly202467 · 25/08/2023 11:15

I don't want to give to many details out on a public platform.

I thought when I met him he was perfect, and he was my knight in shing armour. I thought I was in love and we were together going to build a perfect life, he lived in a one bedroom flat in a tower block crammed with his hobby on very little money, maybe that's why he's so controlling with it.

I know I was naive and have wasted so much of my life

I know I need to leave, it's not easy when I'm very isolated

OP posts:
KitchenSinkLlama · 25/08/2023 11:21

Please contact women's aid. They can guide you through the process of leaving and help you with all the benefits you are entitled to and starting a new life away from abuse.

Please let this thread be the start of a new life for you and your DC.

JFDIYOLO · 25/08/2023 11:28

I'm so sorry this happened to you when you were still legally and neurologically a child.

I think you need expert advice - see a solicitor. You may find someone who does free mini consultations and can explain your rights and options. I did this once when I needed to sue someone and it was so helpful.

Thesearmsofmine · 25/08/2023 11:32

You were a child when you met and he took advantage of you being young and naive and has used his power to control you.
Please contact womens aid and get help to leave him. It won’t be easy but you and your children need to get away from him. You are still so young, don’t waste your life on him.

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