We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Not married, splitting up. How do the finances work?

My friend has been trapped in a relationship which is no longer a happy one. She lives in her partners house, but owns a very small property that she could move into if necessary, but it is not really big enough for more than one person to live in. She has son, 11 y. o. from her previous marriage.

She wants out, but over the years her savings (previous divorce settlement) have dwindled as she has contributed towards various home improvements in her partners house.

Her partner has been the main breadwinner, but she has always worked. Her son's father has not been forthcoming with maintenance and so the current partner has helped to support him financially.

Can anyone tell me, does she have any right to recoup the money that she has paid into his property. She is scared that she doesn't have a leg to stand on and could end up walking away with less than she started with?

It is unlikely to be a friendly split.

Comments

  • Broken_hearted
    Broken_hearted Posts: 9,553 Forumite
    No it's his house. At least she is lucky enough to have somewhere to go and even luckier to be able to start her life again hopefully finding a much better partner. Hugs to both of you.
    Barclaycard 3800

    Nothing to do but hibernate till spring






  • calleyw
    calleyw Posts: 9,896 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    It looks like she possibly has no claim.

    Have look here

    Looks like some people have been through this already.

    Look at page 4 here


    Yours


    Calley
    Hope for everything and expect nothing!!!

    Good enough is almost always good enough -Prof Barry Schwartz

    If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try -Seth Godin
  • She clearly has not been 'trapped' in a relationship. She chose to stay.

    I don't know what legal claims she may have but morally she should walk away and keep her dignity.

    GG
    There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand binary and those that don't.
  • ok, maybe trapped is the wrong word to use, but circumstances, which I'm not going into, have dictated that she has had very little choice until now.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.