Marriage break up rights

wishes2remainAnon

Hi fellow MSEers. I'm after some advice regarding the possible break up of my marriage of just over 18 months. Unfortunately I feel that the end is imminent because we just can't get on (there's no third party involved) - I hope it doesn't come to this but I need to prepare myself and find out where we both stand.

The situation is this. We have a mortgage in joint name. My wife no longer works and has no other income so I pay the mortgage and all bills. Presumably this has no bearing because the mortgage is still in both of our names. We have a small debt on a credit card, again managed by myself. We also don't have any children.

So if the marriage broke up tomorrow then where would I stand? The last thing I'd want to do is screw her over (not sure if that feeling would be reciprocated though!). I'd be most likely to move out but I wouldn't be able to continue paying the mortgage and all bills on the house, plus the cost of wherever else I move to. There is also the question of house contents - what would be my legal right regarding this?

Any help would be most appreciated. Hopefully I won't need to use it but I need to know my rights just in case. Thanks in advance.

mackemdave

18 mth marriage is classed a short marriage and the finacial object would be to both parties back to the way they were before the marriage....any profits made during the marriage...ie marital home has increased in value then this would be split 50-50...likewise any debts accrued during the marriage would have to be settled 50-50...no kids so no maintence ...

PasturesNew

Have you actually tried counselling/Relate? 18 months is no time at all, with no 3rd party involved it's probably just an issue over expectations, who does what, how you each dreamed life would be ...

Is your wife looking for work, or did you agree to keep her, or what?

Maybe if you both discussed what you expected of marriage, how things are different, if she got a job and had her own money, then if you both worked towards resolving differences it could all be lovely again.

pinkshoes

How long were you together before getting married?

Who put the deposit down for the house? Has she paid anything towards the house?

It seems logical if you are paying the mortgage, then you should stay in the house, and perhaps buy her out.