We're aware that dates on the forum are not currently showing correctly, and that mobile users may see some extra spacing between threads. Please bear with us while we get this fixed.
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.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly, and that mobile users may see some extra spacing between threads. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site Feedback for updates.
Divorced in the worst possible way

bikerchris
Posts: 157 Forumite

Hi all,
I hope you can read and help. My partner has been put in a horrible position and any well structured advice would be incredibly helpful.
The situation:
After the official divorce it was required (by the court) that the family house she lives in, has to be sold. This is because her ex-husband owes his Lawyers so much.
Her job and recent surgical operations means she can only work a 3 day week, although she knows she will face a 5 day week and a lot more pain.
The ex-husband is defaulting on the mortgage (which he's paid for several years), despite having the money and it's currently on a 'mortgage holiday'.
My partner could afford the mortgage herself, but the court forces her to sell it, moreover the mortgage lender is unlikely to transfer the mortgage to her because of her lack of sustained income.
She has used all of her 'emergency savings' paying for the lawyer to fight the case, pay the bills etc. There are luckily no children involved.
The ex-husband did have a successful company which is now going down the toilet, there are many loans taken on the family home and the equity is only about 50k.
I would be grateful for any advice from anyone about what she can do. At the moment, she has a small amount of money that she can use to pay rent on a new place, but it's completely unfair. The ex-husband had built up a very successful business and then as soon as she kicked him out, seemed to let it slowly fail.
I hope you can read and help. My partner has been put in a horrible position and any well structured advice would be incredibly helpful.
The situation:
After the official divorce it was required (by the court) that the family house she lives in, has to be sold. This is because her ex-husband owes his Lawyers so much.
Her job and recent surgical operations means she can only work a 3 day week, although she knows she will face a 5 day week and a lot more pain.
The ex-husband is defaulting on the mortgage (which he's paid for several years), despite having the money and it's currently on a 'mortgage holiday'.
My partner could afford the mortgage herself, but the court forces her to sell it, moreover the mortgage lender is unlikely to transfer the mortgage to her because of her lack of sustained income.
She has used all of her 'emergency savings' paying for the lawyer to fight the case, pay the bills etc. There are luckily no children involved.
The ex-husband did have a successful company which is now going down the toilet, there are many loans taken on the family home and the equity is only about 50k.
I would be grateful for any advice from anyone about what she can do. At the moment, she has a small amount of money that she can use to pay rent on a new place, but it's completely unfair. The ex-husband had built up a very successful business and then as soon as she kicked him out, seemed to let it slowly fail.
If someone is worth thanking - click on the 'Thanks' button on their response. It's just a nice thing to do :-)
Started debt at 17, stopped by 25 :-D ...I'm in debt again because of property :-/
Started debt at 17, stopped by 25 :-D ...I'm in debt again because of property :-/
0
Comments
-
Are they still in an ammicable relationship? Seems like she needs to have a frank discussion with her ex-. A mortgage payment holiday won't last forever and if her and her ex- can't reach an agreement on who will pay what when it ends then the house and the £50K equity will be pulled from either party.
Perhaps the sooner they can get the thing on the market at a really great seel it uick (within 3 months) price the better for all concerned. Court fees get paid up and there's no nasty foreclosures to worry about.
Also, please try and cut the guy some slack. Without knowing anything about the circumstances of the divorce I would say it is reasonable for a man to let his business slide a little after a separation. I assure you he is not doing it to be "unfair" to either your partner nor yourself and I don't think you have any right to consider it as such. I am sure he is more concerned about it than you or your partner should need to be. If it is part of the divorce settlement I can understand the involvement but still I refer back to my point that I doubt he is maliciously devaluing the company he has worked hard to build up."He hopes and he wished it but it didn’t fall in his lap so he ain’t even here"0 -
Thank you for responding Matt,
They are still on relatively good talking terms. Yes the mortgage holiday is 3-4 months I believe, there is an assumption that the mortgage lenders will seize the house. This will leave my partner with less than nothing.
You're right, I just think she should be allowed to keep the house and I wondered whether she could barter, on the grounds that she will be homeless - surely there should be a duty of care or something? It's wrong that he [ex-husband] is allowed to do this.
Thank you for your other comments, I will not respond to them but I do value your previous comments.If someone is worth thanking - click on the 'Thanks' button on their response. It's just a nice thing to do :-)
Started debt at 17, stopped by 25 :-D ...I'm in debt again because of property :-/0 -
Yes, sorry, I don't expect a response and I hope you won't take them badly. It was merely my opinion based on the language you've used in your OP and I expect I have grossly misconstrued the situation!!
Best of luck to you and your partner."He hopes and he wished it but it didn’t fall in his lap so he ain’t even here"0 -
And in response, yes I agree it seems a daft situation that your partner should not be able to take on the house and mortgage repayments.
My friend is self-employed and in the past he has spoken of self-certification with regards to mortgages. I don't claim to know what that is but perhaps it will prompt a further response or some research of your own into how she might try to assure a mortgage lender she is good for the payments.
Perhaps the sale is best, presumably she will get some equity and then can look at putting that towards a deposit for a smaller house and persue a new mortgage rather than take on the existing one"He hopes and he wished it but it didn’t fall in his lap so he ain’t even here"0 -
Yes, sorry, I don't expect a response and I hope you won't take them badly. It was merely my opinion based on the language you've used in your OP and I expect I have grossly misconstrued the situation!!
Best of luck to you and your partner.
Thanks for understanding, his actions make my blood boil.And in response, yes I agree it seems a daft situation that your partner should not be able to take on the house and mortgage repayments.
My friend is self-employed and in the past he has spoken of self-certification with regards to mortgages. I don't claim to know what that is but perhaps it will prompt a further response or some research of your own into how she might try to assure a mortgage lender she is good for the payments.
Perhaps the sale is best, presumably she will get some equity and then can look at putting that towards a deposit for a smaller house and persue a new mortgage rather than take on the existing one
Thank you for that, I will look into it.
The equity is going 50/50 and if the mortgage people seize the home there will be nothing. She will be stuffed and due to her work status, will be unable to get a mortgage and possibly, for the first time in her life, be dependant on the state.If someone is worth thanking - click on the 'Thanks' button on their response. It's just a nice thing to do :-)
Started debt at 17, stopped by 25 :-D ...I'm in debt again because of property :-/0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.6K Life & Family
- 254.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards