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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:
Docke · 06/10/2023 11:26

So what do you want from this thread then?

You’ve had a guy feeling that something isn’t right here, pretty much everyone who has responded has agreed that there are red flag everywhere, but now you’re falling over yourself to give reasons why this guy is super amazing.

What made you post initially?

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:27

He has been a step-parent previously, still has contact with them at times, exchanges cards on Christmas/birthdays/big events though they’re pre-teens now so speak less frequently as their mother has married and is happy.

OP posts:
GonnaGetGoingReturns · 06/10/2023 11:27

I don’t think this is a scam but he can probably see you have money and would like a relationship.

It is incredibly hard to get a visa/indefinite leave to remain and you’re not even divorced yet but he wants you to share money?! No way.

A friend of mine a few years back met a Canadian man on holiday in a bar whilst visiting relatives there (she’s not Canadian), she had a flat in London, her DD and an ex partner. She was taking things slowly too and eventually they got married (blended families etc) and bought a house together in Canada. She did rush in a way but also took things slowly as she really didn’t know him apart from Skype calls and visits to and forth to see each other (less on his part).

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 06/10/2023 11:28

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:27

He has been a step-parent previously, still has contact with them at times, exchanges cards on Christmas/birthdays/big events though they’re pre-teens now so speak less frequently as their mother has married and is happy.

And?!

He wants way too much, too soon and is promising you the earth.

You’ll probably ignore all the advice here but why the rush?

asleep · 06/10/2023 11:29

Don't move someone in with kids after a few months of knowing them. Just don't. It's so unfair.

And see a solicitor about your divorce. How long was the marriage? How much did you provide financially? Any career breaks to have your kids?

It doesn't seem like you've thought through your finances or this new guy well at all.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:29

I guess I was asking what the financial implications are to me? Exactly as I asked. People are very hung up on ‘you don’t know him’ and implying he’s a creep or (very deluded) scam artist, which is fair enough and I’d feel the same way I imagine, but I just want to know if anybody knew if he put my name on an account there assuming I didn’t stick my wages in (which would be counterproductive anyway due to currency exchange fees) what would be the implications for me?

OP posts:
Taketurn · 06/10/2023 11:30

The fact that you're questioning this yourself should tell you something. Don't be stupid, lady.

Everdaywingingit · 06/10/2023 11:30

So he was a step parent and it didn’t work out, why? Was he involved in their life for long? Did he actually enjoy parenting? He is happy to move to another continent away from the step kids?

I would be running a mile personally from a man like this.

NoSquirrels · 06/10/2023 11:31

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.
If you sign an AST, and he’s moving this next year, you’re not going to be kicked out abruptly. Presumably he’s not clued up on U.K. housing law. Just tell him this isn’t a worry for you.

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.
Once he’s over here he’ll have a UK bank account and transfers will be simple. Again, tell him this isn’t a worry.

If he’s a good guy, he’ll take it slow regardless of his opinion on renting being ‘wasted money’. It’s not. It’s an investment in your relationship to have separate rentals.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:31

I was replying to the post saying he’d not been a father before, sorry I’m terrible at quoting!

There isn’t a rush, but he has no ties there really, can work fine here, I’m here and he’s not. Simple as that I guess.

OP posts:
Flyingalone · 06/10/2023 11:31

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:29

I guess I was asking what the financial implications are to me? Exactly as I asked. People are very hung up on ‘you don’t know him’ and implying he’s a creep or (very deluded) scam artist, which is fair enough and I’d feel the same way I imagine, but I just want to know if anybody knew if he put my name on an account there assuming I didn’t stick my wages in (which would be counterproductive anyway due to currency exchange fees) what would be the implications for me?

You open a joint account he takes a $300k loan on it. He breaks up with you.

You personally will have to pay back half of it.

Epidote · 06/10/2023 11:32

Sound like a scam.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:35

He was a step-parent for 5 years, it didn’t work out with the mother as they just drifted apart, she seems very nice and he never speaks badly of her, he just said they weren’t happy anymore.
I asked about him moving from the step kids and he said it was fine, they have a new family unit and their own father and they only keep in touch via FT/cards anyway really now so it’d make little difference.

Somebody’s point about it muddying the waters whilst divorcing made a good point, that’s something to mull over.

OP posts:
mewkins · 06/10/2023 11:36

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.

Hi OP, watch the Tinder Swindler on netflix. The guy is very clever at earning the trust of women by appearing wealthy etc first before gradually asking for money to be transferred...always with a great and very plausible excuse.

The guy you have met may be genuine etc etc but you are going way too fast and I get it..you're out of a relationship and now you've found someone who appears to be great.

However, you don't really know him and he could be completely different once you've spent a decent length of time together. If he wants to move to the UK he can but you should get to know each other properly before you introduce him to your kids.

passiveaggressivenonsense · 06/10/2023 11:38

Dont share a bank account yet. He could run up debts in your name. You've never lived together. Take it slow, rent a house for you and your DC. New man can move here and buy his house and see how it goes. I suggest you then think about living together after a year. This will help your DC adjust gently to the new arrangement and you can stay in the honeymoon phase of your relationship longer.
I think his suggestions are naive at best and he's moving way too fast. Get a safe, secure place for you and your DC which is not tied up in your love affair.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:38

Thank you, this is what I was asking!

I was researching online and couldn’t find much information on legalities when it comes to this sort of thing. I’m not sure what kind of account he was thinking of, likely just a checking account for savings and the like, but it’d be interesting to know if taking out loans in that way would be something which could be done alongside it.

OP posts:
Somethingweirdisgoingon · 06/10/2023 11:38

I will never understand people who end long term relationships or marriages and jump straight in with someone else, especially with kids involved. I always think they must have very little confidence or ability to be on their own. Baffles me.

Docke · 06/10/2023 11:39

Even if it is t a scam, why are you putting yourself into a position where you’re relying on two men?

All it takes is for your ex-husband to decide to not give you a lump sum, or for the new guy to suddenly decide he doesn’t want to buy a house and you’re in a ridiculous situation.

And I know you’ll wax lyrical about how your husband is a great man and the new guy loves you and all that jazz, but all it takes is a new girlfriend and your ex’s priority will not be you.

Seriously OP, ask yourself if this makes sense. Woman thousands of miles away with two kids, little money, going through a divorce. It’s not exactly a situation most men would run towards, is it?

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:41

Sorry it baffles you, it wasn’t me prowling the streets for someone I am capable of being alone and was very much ready to, it just happened, the same as it would have if it came up next year or the one after.
You’re acting like I’m moving him in after a week not a year and a half+ of first meeting him 😂

OP posts:
PinkRoses1245 · 06/10/2023 11:41

Oh my god.... this is horrific. Run for the hills, you are clearly being scammed. Read back what you have written and imagine a friend wrote it. You do not know this man. For your kids sake, do not go ahead with your plans. Do not pool any money.

Everdaywingingit · 06/10/2023 11:42

I too will never understand how a person can come out of a long term relationship and jump head forest into another. I have two young children and just coming up to a year out of a long marriage and I would not even consider dating.

The children are the priority in a situation with the breakdown of a family.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 11:43

If my husband doesn’t give me a lump sum then I just rent, I’m not relying on him.
I also don’t need my new partner to support me, I’m happy to rent and have some small amount of savings for the first months rent and deposit. I don’t need anything, I’m asking a genuine question some people are just a bit rude here lol.

OP posts:
greyhairnomore · 06/10/2023 11:43

Your friends are right. You've lost your mind.
Hopefully this is a joke.

PinkRoses1245 · 06/10/2023 11:44

You have known him 8 months and barely met him. he is a stranger to you. You need to prioritise yourself and your kids, divorce is an enormous upheaval. If he wants to move here, let him do that fully independently, but he has to live on his own for at least a couple of years whilst you adjust your kids to your new house with him, and then you can have a normal period of dating in person.

ClaudiaNaughton · 06/10/2023 11:44

If you are married isn't the house half yours in the event of a divorce whether it's in his name or not? It won't ever be your children's inheritance if he remarries. £8000 won't go far rehousing you and DC.