Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

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:
Feraldogmum · 06/10/2023 12:43

For pitys sake woman you're being scammed.

Spareus · 06/10/2023 12:43

Fe2O3Girl · 06/10/2023 11:02

🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

This, a million times over

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 12:46

@OhComeOnFFS He wouldn’t get a mortgage, it’d just be outright from the sale of his house.

@AFieldGuideToTrees I’m not sure how I’m not prioritising my children, I’ve been living in a stressful situation with my ex for almost a year since telling him I wanted to separate so they have stability whilst we explain we’re no longer a couple, they know I won’t live here forever and they’ll have two homes, they’ll likely be in the two homes for at least year before anyone even slightly moved in. By that time they’ll be more clarity on timeframes and we can be lead by them.

I agree the money from the house is something I didn’t think of too well, we’re both not that clued up in that respect but I’ll have a chat with my ex about how best to secure their future.

OP posts:
Floppyelf · 06/10/2023 12:47

You’re an idiot. You should get a share of the house in a divorce as you have given birth to his children and men often promise the world until they’re 50 and a 20 year old girl
takes a fancy. Now for this second one. Take your time. American men have a different expectations of women being a picture perfect wife etc. all those underlying set beliefs won’t show immediately, it will take months to see how he really is. 6 weeks together is nothing.

SundayCherry · 06/10/2023 12:48

Think it’s absolutely disgusting you’re going to have someone you barely even know around your children that quick after divorcing their dad. It’s awful, OP.

ActDottie · 06/10/2023 12:48

Sorry but this is absolute madness!!! 8 months and he lives abroad it just screams scam!

1month · 06/10/2023 12:49

I mean anybody could be a serial killer or pedo I guess, where do you draw the line?
Should I never find anyone again? He’s wanting to move here as we’re in love and I’m here and I wont be going there and leaving my children.

Do not be such an idiot OP.

Just by the way you speak it is obvious that you are very gullible and easy to manipulate, so there is a big chance that this man has preyed on you for those reasons.

Of course he may be 100% legit but I doubt it because no one would mention getting a joint account with someone they’ve only known for 8 months.

Most couples who’ve been together for years don’t even have joint accounts.

Why can’t he move over here and you find somewhere to rent separately and over time get to know each other better and then eventually move in??

How many times have you visited him in the states?

AFieldGuideToTrees · 06/10/2023 12:49

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 12:04

The house was a gift from his grandmother, I wouldn’t want to ask him to sell the house or give me a large sum of money due to a decision I’ve made. He may meet someone else but he loves his boys and they will be well looked after when it sells no matter how wonderful a new woman may be. They’ll also be looked after by their grandparents as the only grandchildren, I have no concerns for them financially speaking. I’m happy to start again, I don’t want to take anything from anyone.

Then you're a complete idiot.

Floppyelf · 06/10/2023 12:49

Make a claim for husbands house in the divorce and agree to ringfence the money for your two shared children only
as its their great grandmother’s gift to their father if you really want nothing from
your ex.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 12:50

I’m not buying him a house or putting money in this account, sorry if that wa unclear. He was talking about buying a house with my name on it and me dealing with the paperwork in this country such as the surveys and stuff, he’d still be taxed as normal I imagine in both countries though it was a hypothetical discussion he wanted me to look into too.
You can buy property from abroad, it doesn’t speed up your visa application or give any priority though. It wouldn’t be a mortgage, it’d be outright.

OP posts:
viques · 06/10/2023 12:50

All his messages sound like a financial scam. He hasn’t researched tax issues? He has sold his house so you can’t tell if he is living there, or has ever lived there. His employer is happy for him to work remotely in a distant time zone? Does he have a UK work permit? He want a joint bank account?

You are lucky, you have come out of a marriage with what sounds like a decent financial agreement, don’t for goodness sake mess this all up for you and your kids by entangling your finances with someone you have ONLY KNOWN ONLINE FOR A FEW MONTHS. He might well turn out to be the love of your life, in which case I apologise to him in advance, and if he is tloyl and not just someone who you met on the rebound who is out to scam you dry, then you have the prospect of many happy years together during which time you can entangle your financials, and anything else you want to entangle. But please don’t entangle yet.

Doteycat · 06/10/2023 12:51

Stop, just stop.
ITs clear you have no intention of doing anything other than Hurtling headlong into this disaster waiting to happen.
Good luck.
You will need it.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 12:52

@Floppyelf Thats great, thanks!

OP posts:
OhComeOnFFS · 06/10/2023 12:52

I think you have shown yourself to be very naive in both how you consider the family home and in this new relationship, too. Have you spoken to a solicitor about your finances re the divorce? £8,000 to set up a new home for your children is just awful. Did you stop working to care for them? Did your ex pay into his pension fund while you were caring for the kids?

passiveaggressivenonsense · 06/10/2023 12:53

A house in your name ? Will that make you legally responsible for maintaining the mortgage ? If he's not a scammer he's so naive it's worrying !

Nanaof1 · 06/10/2023 12:53

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.

Well, let's be honest. You are letting your ex "have the house so it can be your children's inheritance" without thinking about what he will do when he remarries and brings a new woman into the house who will have a right to half the house or all of it if he proceeds her in death. And then your kids will have zilch.

You may not have much money but that doesn't stop someone if they are a scammer/catfisher king/grifter. Maybe he is a GREAT guy but still, do not open a joint acct. with him for many months after he moves to the UK. Like a year at least after he arrives.

Maybe he is a great guy but after reading so many horror stories, I urge caution.

Mevawall · 06/10/2023 12:53

@Doteycat Yes, that is exactly what I’ve said, obviously.

OP posts:
UltimateInteriors · 06/10/2023 12:54

There are so many things wrong here @Mevawall

You won't like what I'm going to say but here goes.

1 You are still married and really need time alone with your young children before getting hooked up with another man.

2 You can't really know a man who lives in the US and who you have only met a few times. YOU HAVE MET HIM ABOUT 6 TIMES and you are thinking of this as a permanent set-up?

3 To consider this as a permanent relationship, when you are not yet divorced or even living away from your H, is not sensible. It's just too soon. FAR too soon.

4 You need a proper, legal financial settlement when you divorce.

Yes, your H inherited the house you live in, but that doesn't mean he can keep it all for himself. Sadly, inheritances can be considered part of the financial pot and you could get a share. Him taking out a loan to pay you something to get you back on your feet is unfair. You deserve a lot more than that.

Please, give your head a very big MNetty wobble and start to face reality.

ladykale · 06/10/2023 12:54

Are people really this silly?!

This is how women end up charged with money laundering offences because they receive large sums from people they hardly even know without any further information

1month · 06/10/2023 12:55

No there should be no joint accounts or buying properties in each others names.

The fact that you’re even having these conversations is proof of how gullible and naive you are.

He (and your family and friends) must be cringing and laughing at you behind your back.

cordelia16 · 06/10/2023 12:55

SoRainbowRhythms · 06/10/2023 10:50

Jesus Christ no. Do not pool finances with this man. You barely know him. Protect yourself and your children.

this 100%

wordler · 06/10/2023 12:55

What is the visa he is applying to move over on?

That’s the bit that sounds like a scam to me. There’s not a new remote work visa category since Covid.

And unless he ends up being able to move over on a few very specific visas which allow residence then he’s going to have to move back to the States for you to apply for a marriage visa for him because you can’t apply for those from within the UK.

Also be aware if he goes the marriage visa route that it will take many years to get permanent full residency in the UK and cost around £10,000 in total to do so.

adriftabroad · 06/10/2023 12:55

"your partner"
Are you ok?

You need a reponsible adult to intervene.
What women and men do for sex when the have DCs is beyond me.
The selfishness.

Cryojeenic · 06/10/2023 12:56

I'm sorry but you'd be absolutely crazy to do this.

viques · 06/10/2023 12:56

Sorry, I have just re read the finances regarding your ex, no, you haven’t made a decent financial agreement. What happens if he marries again? Your kids could end up with no inheritance. Plus you are going to be paying a mortgage whereas he will be living practically mortgage free. You are sounding very financially naive about this arrangement, which doesn’t bode well for your US arrangement either.