What happens legally in a separation???

[nannyjo]

Divorce can't be given till 2 years separation but what happens for those 2 years?? Housing, finances etc and more importantly Kids.

I know DH will make things very hard if we go down this route so evrything will have to be done 'by the book' and not just amicably to make life easier for the kids.

We've got 3 kids (very young) so I don't work, have no source of income so I'm at the stage where we are here just because there is no where else to go IYSWIM.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you v.much.

Not sure nannyjo but i am in a similar position. h has moved out and says he will keep paying bills etc but for how long??!!

Am seeing a soliciter in a couple of weeks.

Hope someone comes along who can help you.

My H's response is 'you're not going to get me out of my house, I pay the bills and you're not getting a penny from me' which is why i know I will only get what I am legally entitled to

If things are going to be that difficult, I would seriously think about consulting a solicitor as to whether you have sufficient grounds to issue divorce proceedings on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour.

I told my husband that was thr route i thought we would have to take his response was 'oh I;m unreasonable...you're the one that shouts and argues all the time' Which I do unfortunatey but so does he??? I think we'd go round and round in circles. To avoid that I was hoping a separation would be 'sortoutable' legally but not sure if they are even a legal thing???

Also when I contact a soliciter do I pay out right from that conversation??? I don't know how I would be able to do that and what rough kind of figures we are talking about. (I have a atereotype image of every conversation coating loads of money and the final figure being thousands each. I'd love to avoid that as that could be money to invest in our childrens future (as there isn't much money to use anyway) but I'm not sure that is possible?

you should be able to claim benefits, and if you do, then you will probably be legally aided for your divorce, though not all solicitors do legal aid

so who do i contact first? Should I call legal aid and explain all to them about the situation I am in and they'll point me in the right direction?

i would look for a solicitor specialising in family law, that is also legally aided, call them and explain you are applying for benefits as you are without income

also call ctc and the benefits agency, apply for income support etc

it all sounds so confusing. Who is ctc, what are the details for the benefits agency? Sorry I have always left any paper work office type stuff to H before now. I usually even avoid official phone calls Time to get myself organised I think.

ctc = child tax credits

benefits agency will be the guys to google for applying re income support, and asking if there is anything else you are entitled to

thnk you for your help. x

if you are entitled to income support, you will get legal aid, and also you will have council tax/rent paid

nannyjo, you can enter into a legally binding separation agreement that would be negotiated between you - I would definitely use a solicitor. You could try Citizens Advice for help with how to go about it.