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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

Money and new partner

449 replies

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 10:49

Hi all,

NC as I have friends who use MN.

To cut a long story short my husband and I separated around a year ago, it was my choice after many months of soul searching and realising there wasn’t a way back for us and whilst he felt shocked at first we’re amicable now and are in the process of divorcing properly, though currently still living together as finding a local property to rent right now is horrendous.
Neither of us have any shared financial obligations (house, car, loans etc) just two small children who we’ve always agreed we will share 50/50 custody, decisions and arrangements for so we don’t expect any formal financial arrangement for maintenance or set days and weeks.

The house is in my husbands name as it was a gift from his grandmother so I will be moving out, and I don’t want any money from it as it was a gift to him and will one day be our children’s inheritance. He has has agreed to give me a small sum of money after remortgaging the house to get started in a new home with, which is very nice of him and will come in handy for fees and deposits.

Now, I met a new partner about 8 months ago, we’re LD at the moment as he’s based in the States, but he is applying to move here for early next year.
He’s absolutely amazing, everything I have wanted in a life partner and he feels the same way. He’s just brilliant, and as he has no obligations tying his to the US has said he will move here happily which has made things decidedly easier.
Financially he earns a good salary, can work remote and has gotten permission to do so from his employer, so he’s just working out the legalities of working when coming to the U.K and the dual tax system. He’s just sold his home over there in preparation to coming here as well as his other belongings and is now just renting until his visa comes through.
Yes, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind romance, but we’re both very sure this is what we want going forwards. Not here looking for a “ITS ONLY BEEN 8 MONTHS!” As yes, I can count. 😂

Last week he told me he wants to open a joint account in the U.S and then eventually I can do the same here in the U.K when he arrives so I can access his money and pool mine, that way we can buy a house here rather than me renting for a year whilst all things settle.
In his eyes renting isn’t worth it when I can handle all of the legalities of paying for it outright here with the money from the sale of his house, and that way I don’t have to worry about having to move out if given notice before he arrives.
He also added that the joint account means he wouldn’t need to worry about transferring money to me in future for buying things such as furniture or paying for household repairs, as transferring money has been an issue previously when we were booking a holiday together and we had to jump through hoops with my bank to ensure the money arrived properly.

Am I going a bit mad to think this is crazy? We love one another, I really don’t care about how much money he has and certainly won’t be going on any spending sprees. We have also both discussed marrying in a year or so once my divorce is finalised so will end up us both sharing assets anyway then.
As long as my children have two happy homes, my ex and I co-parent well and my partner is here with me, that’s all I care about.
I work and can support myself and my children independently (work is something I wouldn’t ever give up and he is very supportive with my development) though I’ll never be able to buy a house, but that side of things isn’t a huge issue to me and I’m happy to rent long-term.

Its a strange one as I know if I told friends they’d think I’d lost my mind but as I don’t have anything to financially lose they’d tell me it’s all ok, but is it? Am I not seeing a potential downside of this? He open with finances, he’s not a huge spender and has a reliable income as well as stocks, shares and investments, so can anyone tell me if I’m feeling this way for no reason please?

TIA!

OP posts:
RedDoughnut · 06/10/2023 11:09

What's his job OP?

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:10

He works remotely in IT for a US/U.K. healthcare brand.

OP posts:
HippeePrincess · 06/10/2023 11:12

You should reconsider what you’re asking to take from the marital assets.

you should get your head checked and stop with this “new partner” nonsense, if it isn’t a scam, which it sounds like it is, then it’s hugely unsafe and if I was the children’s other parent I’d not allow this. I’d stop visitation and apply for full custody since you can’t seem to see how risky this would be.

this is coming from someone who is on a second LTR with a blended family, but I didn’t jump in the deep end with my eyes firmly shut when I did so.

bonkers

SoRainbowRhythms · 06/10/2023 11:13

Bonkers is right.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:13

Can you elaborate on how it is a scam? I don’t have anything to give, I’m not sure how I can be scammed tbh or how it’s unsafe. The children will always have a base with their father, I’m unsure how this differs from any other new relationship bar the distance which is currently unavoidable.

OP posts:
Hayfeveroverseason · 06/10/2023 11:14

What everyone else said!
It's nice that you and your soon to be ex are so amicable, you both sound like good people.
You need to settle with your children alone first before moving in with a new man. Don't pool the finances that your stbex gave you to help set you and your dc up. If your new beau is genuine then he will be happy to live over here and get to know you and your dc properly before moving in.
Don't think you need to be someone's wife or someone's partner. You need to be you for a while before you move on.

MrsSiriusBlack1 · 06/10/2023 11:14

Christ on a bike, I’m going to stop coming on here, people are getting more and more stupid and even worse reckless with their kids safety. You don’t need a relationship to be happy o.p. Utter madness

ShadowsontheHill · 06/10/2023 11:15

You have had a knee jerk reaction and have had zero time to reflect on why your relationship broke down. You have used this guy as a sticking plaster so you can just move on and far too quickly, life lessons are learned by reflection and you have had no time. What do you actually know of this man? Have you visited his home? Workplace, met his friends? Have you seen his accounts and let’s be honest stuff like that can be faked. You can hardly do a Clare’s Law search on him because he can hide everything as he is from overseas.

BayandBlonde · 06/10/2023 11:15

Christ on a bike 🤦‍♀️

Ollifer · 06/10/2023 11:15

So you've met him five times? This is utterly ridiculous and I feel sorry for the kids. Yet again another parent putting their love life before their children.

littleripper · 06/10/2023 11:16

I can't get past the naivety you thinking your husband is going to stay single for rest of his life and leave your DC his house, let alone the concept of handing what you have left to a man you do not know well.
Your H is likely to remarry or have another relationship, that person is unlikely to see his house as your "children's inheritance", he may have many more children and step children. You could end up homeless. The risks are absurd. You need to get the money out of your family home that you are entitled to, buy a new home for yourself and your children and this man needs to rent whilst you test the relationship - if it were me that would be at LEAST 2-3 years. I just don't understand how you can take these risks when you have children.

ShadowsontheHill · 06/10/2023 11:16

So have you found his details on the company website and have you seen his passport?

prettygreenteacup · 06/10/2023 11:16

You aren't even divorced yet. Get that done at the very least to ensure a properly clear path and no legal ties to your ex.
The rest of it is also incredibly fast but on a sheer practical level at least end your marriage before moving in with a long distance boyfriend you've known for 8 months and having your kids involved with 😵‍💫🥴

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:17

No, I’ve had 2 solid years to dwell on why my marriage has ended, this isn’t knee jerk, I wouldn’t end a marriage on a whim, he is very much a good man and a good friend.

I’ve met my new partners family both here and in the US, been to his home in the US, met his friends and been to a work function whilst I was there, same as I would have with a partner here.

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 06/10/2023 11:17

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:13

Can you elaborate on how it is a scam? I don’t have anything to give, I’m not sure how I can be scammed tbh or how it’s unsafe. The children will always have a base with their father, I’m unsure how this differs from any other new relationship bar the distance which is currently unavoidable.

You do have something he can take. Your ex is giving you a lump sum.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:18

The lump sum is about £8,000, and that’ll go into paying for the rent/deposit and furniture for a new rented home at present, it’s not life changing money.

OP posts:
Docke · 06/10/2023 11:20

Seriously, is there no available penis on this side of the Atlantic?

You’ve met this man five times??? He’s a stranger.

NoSquirrels · 06/10/2023 11:21

OK. Then you can just say ‘thanks but no thanks to joint accounts, let’s take it slow while we get to know each other properly’ and encourage him to rent a longer-term (12 months) flat rather than an Air BnB.

What’s the rush? If he’s a great guy he’ll take it slow.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:21

Yes I’ve seen his passport, his driver license and he’s given me access to his online bank account when I needed to pay for something previously. Yeah I know it all screams red flag folks, but he’s genuinely just been a hermit for a long time just working and saving as his last relationship broke down.
And yes, I’ve done searches for criminal records, he had a DUI in his early 20s he told me about early on and as we’re in our early 40s now I think we’re good.

OP posts:
BranchGold · 06/10/2023 11:24

Don’t transfer any of your salary details to any joint account.

Get through a Christmas with him. Get through a winter with him. A year, then consider future stuff.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:24

We’ve had the both renting separately talk, he’s fine with that though concerned about me being left without a home if the landlord decides to up and sell which has happened to both of us separately the past.
He said he has the means to support me to finding something permanent, something he may not have been able to do previously, so wants to make sure I’m secure. Hence the question I guess! People calling me bonkers have made me laugh though, I needed that on this grey morning, I know it sounds insane.

OP posts:
MetaverseMavis · 06/10/2023 11:24

Nicely explain it will muddy the waters for your divorce if you make a joint financial commitment right now, but he can always apply for a second card on his account for you to use (if this is possible). See how that goes for a few months. As your name isn't on the account, you have no financial responsibility towards that account and you are making no financial link with him. Keep your finances separate always

Everdaywingingit · 06/10/2023 11:25

Insane! What if he hates being a dad? He has never even been a parent!

BarleySugars · 06/10/2023 11:25

Sorry OP but this has red flags all over it - you can share a life without pooling money, just dont do it. Rent together etc if you want and the only damage would be him linked to your credit rating, but do NOT give him access to your money. Even with my DP of 4yrs, we finally gave a joint account and will move money into it for shared bills but we dont just 'pool' all our money.

Flyingalone · 06/10/2023 11:26

You open a joint account he takes a giant loan on it. He breaks up with you.

You will have to pay back half of it.

This is nuts.