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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

Anyone know a good divorce lawyer?

52 replies

helicopterview · 22/05/2010 18:49

I am trying to decide what to do having just discovered (by seeing a text...what a classic) that my husband has been seeing someone else. I confronted him, he admitted it. Just kisses, no sex. I believe him, but still feel brutally hurt.

He wants me to forgive and forget, and get back to how we used to be. Obviously that will take a lot of work and commitment. I am going to see a counselor next week, and encourage him to do the same. We obviously have some issues to work through, which led to this.

But in parallel, I would feel a lot better if I knew what my legal rights are, should the worst come to the worst.

Does anyone know a good divorce lawyer I could talk to?

OP posts:
Xenia · 23/05/2010 17:12

Why has sex dwindled to nothing? Is that because he has been having it with someone else or has he gone elsewhere because it wasn't on offer at home? Either way it doesn't have to mean the end. Load of couples have bad and good times in a long marriage.

Does he want to leave you for someone else? If you don't let him back he might move in with "her" and that might not really be what you want so think about it all hard.

helicopterview · 23/05/2010 17:25

He wants to come back.

It is me who is angry/hurt/resisting.

I don't think he wants her really, and knows what a big mistake he's made, and what's at risk. Which is exactly what I want him to feel.

But do I want him back? And under what circumstances? That's what I'm grappling with today.

I have been finding it much easier to think straight with him out of the house, I have to say.

OP posts:
Xenia · 23/05/2010 17:45

There are practical issues too. How upset would the children be? Are they old enough to choose which parent they would live with and if so whom would they choose? Can you and he earn enough to keep two households going without having an unacceptable drop in living standards? Are you rather relieved to see the back of him or has it reminded you how much you love him?

foureleven · 23/05/2010 17:47

Its such a shame all the practicalities get in the way isnt it. Can you get away for a bit helicopter?

Do a Shirley Valentine? Ok, so probably not practical to do a full Shirley but what about staying with a friend for a bit?

helicopterview · 23/05/2010 18:16

I need to see a solicitor. Isn't there some legal thing whereby if you leave the family home you give up the right to it?

OP posts:
foureleven · 23/05/2010 18:43

Oh god maybe, sorry.

foureleven · 23/05/2010 18:44

Can i just praise you (without sounding patronising ) for your levelheaded attitude to all of this helicopter. i really do admire you.

helicopterview · 23/05/2010 18:49

Thank you. You are very kind.

OP posts:
helicopterview · 23/05/2010 18:58

I feel the need to say how great all the posters are on this site. I don't know how I would have got through the last 2 days without all this advice and support. Thank you.

OP posts:
Mustbetheend · 23/05/2010 19:05

I dont think you should leave the home without knowing your legal rights. You do have time - please dont rush such a life important decision. It affects others too.

Go and see a lawyer -yes and then consider your situaton carefully. Know a good lawyer in SW London if you message me

helicopterview · 23/05/2010 19:23

Thank you. I might take you up on that, but first will try a resolution person, as suggested by a few people here. I'll see how I go.

I've calmed down a lot since started this string, and am not rushing to divorce, just to know what my choices are.

You are right to call it life important. I must take care over what I decide.

If only I could stand to be in the same room as my H.....

OP posts:
whatname · 23/05/2010 20:51

You could try the cab. I found them really sympathetic. And even helpful via a phone call, prior to going in. Haven't got as far as a lawyer yet, but i am in south london if anyone can recommend one!

Xenia · 23/05/2010 21:02

Actually he is the legal idiot for agreeing to leave. It's very hard to get back in although if you both own the house jointly until you divorce you are both entitled to live there however bad the relationship and indeed you could both move in with new lovers. He could get a court order letting him back and if he's now well housed he will find it harder to get back in. If you change the locks he could probably got to court to get back in but I doubt it will come to that.

However some mothers move out, father takes possession of home and children, pays for a psychologist report if he has enough money saying what a bad mother and ends up excluding her and keeping the chidlren and then moving his lover in. Very very unlikely eh would want or could do that but it is possbile.

There is not a rule that if someone mvoes out they lose the house but they might thereby prove they are housed adequately elsewhere. How things are divided depends on how much there is - all the equity in the house and savings are added together less all debts and divided by two and if that is enough for each person that's it. If not (mostly it is not enough) then whoever has the children tends to get more. But see a lawyer if you want to know the full picture.

helicopterview · 23/05/2010 21:11

Seeing a resolution person asap seems a priority.

OP posts:
Xenia · 23/05/2010 21:26

Yes, and they would probably say if you are with the sort of person who runs up debts (which I doubt you are) get joint accounts and cards cancelled before all the money is drawn up and huge debts put into noint names on jointly owned cards but it doesn't really sound like that sort of situation to me.

I think the main thing to think about is whether this really matters. If he has always done it but this was time number 20 when you happened to find ou t or if it's just a storm in a tea cup and the sooner he gets back home the better before it becomes too irrevocable to get back together and boats are burned.

helicopterview · 23/05/2010 21:31

Oh god. Good point. I'm convinced it's time number 1.

This could be the start of improvements, or the rot that will fester.

I've asked him to come to Relate with me. No news yet.

OP posts:
TheBride · 24/05/2010 00:07

don't panic. I think you're handling it really well atm and I dont think telling your children everything right now is a good idea- drunk daddy much better than unfaithful daddy and knowing about the texts and the kiss may set them against him and make it all harder to resolve if that's what you decide to do.

Best of luck in resolving this.

Haziel01 · 31/07/2014 12:25

Please.

Haziel01 · 31/07/2014 12:27

Ladies, desperately looking for a good tough talking divorce solicitor who can at least match the bully my ex hubby has got hounding me day in and out.

hamptoncourt · 31/07/2014 18:16

Where are you?

dolicapax · 31/07/2014 21:44

Speaking as someone who lived through this, and after first separating and filing for divorce is now with DH in a stronger, happier marriage my advice is:

Separate for a while. You need space to grieve and heal, the hurt runs deeper than you can initially imagine, and he needs to know you are the one in control here. He doesn't get to choose who he wants to be with. So many men who have affairs have this warped notion they can string two women along while they decide who they want to be with. Errr no.

Tell family and friends. You will be amazed by the level of support they will provide, I was. It isn't your job to hide his grubby secrets. If he is embarrassed and humiliated by this, well he should be.

Speak to a lawyer and understand your legal rights. It is all part of taking back control of your life, and is very reassuring. Where you go from there is entirely up to you.

Think about your marriage, honestly. Is it worth trying to save it? Before you knew about this were you happy, or were you just rubbing along for the sake of the dcs? Getting back after an affair is bloody hard. I'll not sugar the pill. Betrayal is a very difficult thing to get past, even if your DH behaves impeccably going forward.

What needs to change? What do you need him to do? He needs to fall over himself to do whatever it takes. If he won't, you won't be happy, and you won't be able to trust him.

Don't fgs spend hours analysing what 'drove him to this', what you could have done differently, or anything along those lines. NOTHING you did or said made him cheat. NOTHING. Repeat that after me : NOTHING. He chose to because he was selfish, weak, self centred, and arrogant. If he was unhappy in the marriage he should have discussed it like an adult. I am sure you have been unhappy at times, and you stayed faithful.

Post here, you will get a lot of support. Not everyone is of the LTB mentality, many of us have been there before you, others have a lot of experience in this area and can give sage advice.

Haziel01 · 31/07/2014 22:07

Hi Fuzzywuzzy I was wondering if you could provide the divorce lawyers contact details you referred to in your post.

madmum20 · 17/10/2016 13:56

Hi Fuzzywuzzy
would be interested in the lawyer that you recommend in London, for a good friend

Onenerfwarfrombreakdown · 17/10/2016 15:44

madmum this is a zombie thread from 2010, revived 2014 and now you today. Most posters if they click on the OP and see its 2010 won't go any further so I would start your own tread to ask for details. Best of luck to you.

Pn291 · 13/03/2017 17:51

Try the Solicitors Information Service. They found me an excellent solicitor on 020 7483 4833. www.whichsolicitor.co.uk

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