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Original poster

What are my rights when husband keeps packing my stuff and taking keys off me?

135 replies

Gina8 · 25/02/2025 15:08

Married for 3 years. No kids.

The house we live in is bought by husband and he pays for the mortgage. The deeds are under his name only.

After arguments, sometimes he will pack my things and tell me to leave his house. Or demand I pack EVERYTHING and leave.

I’ll always agree to leaving straight away but I say it’s impossible for me to pack everything immediately but will remove everything within a week. He doesn’t accept it. He makes it difficult for me and then he will start packing my things for me. Basically throws all my stuff in bags. Sometimes he’ll throw my things out. He takes the house keys off me too.

I’ll usually go stay at my mums and then eventually (sometimes weeks after) he’ll beg and plead for me back. Even when I don’t agree, he’ll be persistent and overwhelms me that I cave in.

he usually kicks me out the house at midnight or later. He’s done this too many times now and I’m filing for divorce. I’ve gone NC.

I have no interest in claiming anything from him. And he can keep his house.

What I want to know does he have the right to expect to leave his house and take all of my belongings straight away whenever he demands. And does he have the right to take keys off me? Even though the house is his and he pays for the mortgage.

OP posts:
BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 25/02/2025 15:31

What I want to know does he have the right to expect to leave his house and take all of my belongings straight away whenever he demands. And does he have the right to take keys off me? Even though the house is his and he pays for the mortgage.

No it's the marital home irrespective of who actually owns it so he doesn't have the right. You could move back in today and there is nothing he can actually do and if he turned violent and tried to force you out the police would intervene

Cartridgereplace · 25/02/2025 15:33

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BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 25/02/2025 15:33

I would also agree with others that you are unlikely to get 50% of the house. If you've financially contributed you may get something as compensation but you wouldn't get much more than that with such a short marriage

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 25/02/2025 15:36

womanjustwanttohavefun · 25/02/2025 15:18

Uk law you are entitled to 1/2 the martial assets and that includes the house.

I'd make sure you get that given his shitty attitude!

Given the short length of the marriage, this just isn't true.
It is more likely that a settlement would be to put both parties back to their situation before marriage, unless there are very extenuating circumstances.

OP. Please seek legal advice.

Fastingandhungry · 25/02/2025 15:36

womanjustwanttohavefun · 25/02/2025 15:18

Uk law you are entitled to 1/2 the martial assets and that includes the house.

I'd make sure you get that given his shitty attitude!

No it doesn’t.

Cartridgereplace · 25/02/2025 15:36

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CuthbertDribble · 25/02/2025 15:37

She's not going to get 50% of a house in a short marriage.

When did he buy it? What has been your financial set up during your marriage?

Omgblueskys · 25/02/2025 15:40

My xh paid the first 12 years of mortgage so when we separated I wasn't entitled to any of the first 12 yrs this was only 2 years ago so get some advice

gamerchick · 25/02/2025 15:41

Yeah you need to see a solicitor OP. Youll get conflicting advice on here. Thank god you're not going back though.

monsterfish · 25/02/2025 15:41

The kicking you out & begging you to come back is just a game to him, that is all, and you keep playing.

leave, stay away & see a solicitor to get a divorce.

Member869894 · 25/02/2025 15:41

Ex divorce lawyer here. . You have a right of occupation and a claim on the house by virtue of being married to the abusive twat.. I can't see you getting anywhere near 50% in these circumstances but may get something depending upon what co tributions, time or financewise, you put into the marriage. Go and get legal advice .Your solicitor should advise you put a caution on the home to prevent him from selling it whilst you find out your rights. Good luck

Millyjanice · 25/02/2025 15:41

TheGrimSmile · 25/02/2025 15:14

...and you are entitled to some of the house, so take it.

This !

Leave him and take what you're entitled to !
He’s broken his marriage vows, not you !
Get what you can and treat is as compensation for his appalling behaviour.
See a lawyer asap.

BearPear · 25/02/2025 15:41

Not 50% but definitely entitled to something, including possibly any pension he has. I’m basing this on the current situation faced by a family member where a house they owned prior to the marriage plus a portion of their pension from the period of the marriage are part of the settlement

Kbroughton · 25/02/2025 15:42

womanjustwanttohavefun · 25/02/2025 15:18

Uk law you are entitled to 1/2 the martial assets and that includes the house.

I'd make sure you get that given his shitty attitude!

Not necessarily. three years will be classed as a short marriage, and there is more of a chance that, if he put up the deposit or it was his before then she would only be entitled to a proportion. Also if she has now left the house she will be in for an up hill battle. i left and it made it harder however it was the right thing to do for my own mental health.

In any case, he is awful, nasty and controlling and you need to separate and start again Start by getting some legal advice pronto.

Starlight7080 · 25/02/2025 15:44

You shouldn't have gone back after the first time he did this.
Who needs that level of stress .
He sounds awful .

TagSplashMaverick · 25/02/2025 15:45

What an abusive bastard. See a solicitor though, you’re married and that means something.

ReadingRubbish · 25/02/2025 15:49

It was only a 3 year marriage and the OP didn't help buy the house or pay towards the mortgage so assuming all other expenses were paid for roughly equally I think I'd do the same as the OP and not bother trying to get more money. She has lived rent free or mortgage free for the time she has been living in his house so hopefully will have saved some money.

OP do you have any other joint assets or debts such as cars?

Millymoonshine · 25/02/2025 15:49

Send him a letter telling him to return your belongings to x address by x date or you'll take legal action.
Give him a friends address.

theboffinsarecoming · 25/02/2025 15:50

He is not allowed to lock you out of your marital home. If I were you, I'd contact the police and a locksmith, take a friend and a van, and go and get the remainder of your stuff.

ForRealCat · 25/02/2025 15:50

Contact land registry and register a beneficial interest on the property.

Have you been paying him rent or a contribution for living there? Get all your paperwork together and speak with a solicitor, they will let you know what you are entitled to.

Have you got all your possessions out of the house?

gamerchick · 25/02/2025 15:51

Tbh I wouldn't just roll over and just let it go OP. The fucker needs a bit of a spanking that he can't treat people like crap.

Dancingatthepinkponyclub · 25/02/2025 15:51

Just stop going back and it won’t matter!

Ineedthesun80 · 25/02/2025 15:53

I would take him to the cleaners just for being a twat!

holrosea · 25/02/2025 15:55

https://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-advice/family-law-information/

Check out the Marriage, Divorce and Finances section - these guides are very simple ot understand to get an idea of the starting point for what you may be entitled to as a married partner.

honeylulu · 25/02/2025 15:56

In answer to your actual question, no he doesn't have the right to make you leave the home.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applications-under-the-family-law-act-1996/practice-guide-20-applications-under-the-family-law-act-1996

I suggest you make an application to register your rights which will remain valid until divorce. It won't give you a specific right to the house value but it will let him know that by throwing you out he's legally in the wrong. I hope you won't go back to him again but if you do you can tell him if he tries to throw you out again you will call the police and show them evidence of your registered right.
(I'm assuming you are in England or Wales.)

You've said you don't want to go after any of the house value in a divorce. That might be fine but think carefully about giving up that right altogether. He might have paid the mortgage but have you invested in renovations and other household expenses? Or reduced your work hours to take on more domestic duties? As others have said you won't get 50% after a short marriage with no children but I'd be surprised if you were entitled to nothing at all.

Good luck, he sounds horrible.