Help dunno what to do

miaoww

Hi guys dunno how to help my friend - she's in house with two kids recently separated from abusive relationship n now he wants to sell her / their house she earns £750 a month mortgage is about £40,000 he pays her £300 a month but she gives him back £200? N he currently pays the mortgage. She cant afford mortgage on her own on her wages n doesn't really want to rent as will be more than her mortgage payments. He's !!!!!ing coz single dads end up with nothing n his parents can't cope with the kids there on weekends she working when he supposed to be having them n palming them off. Any help / advise where to start n best options / what she's entitled too?

Own_My_Own

A - Why does she give him £200 back

B- She would be entitled to help with any rent.

Fire_Fox

Whose house, whose name is on the deeds and the mortgage, joint or just his? She should apply for benefits - might get council tax, tax credits, Support for Mortgage Interest it depends. Get the child support formalised via the CSA. Could she take in a lodger for a tax free income stream?
http://www.entitledto.co.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance/overview
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/pimmanual/pim4001.htm

Secondly urgently see a solicitor regarding divorce and any maintenance for herself and about keeping the husband away from the house. She does not need money for this, any fees are paid out of the final divorce settlement, say if the house does end up sold. Normally she would not be able to keep him out of the house or change the locks, but she may be able to given the history of abuse - that makes it tough for him to think about marketing the house.

If her name is not on the mortgage don't pay anything, if her name is on the mortgage she should be checking EVERY month that the mortgage is paid and paying her share directly to the lender NOT trusting the ex at all. She doesn't need to pay the mortgage on her own unless the mortgage is only in her name, the ex is liable too. It may be he has to pay his share of the mortgage AND the child support.

I would not assume she is eligible for help with rent or social housing, the council may deem her intentionally homeless if she voluntarily vacates the house, if she has assets (value of the property she does not live in or cash in the bank once it is sold) this reduces the means tested benefits. Generally it is better for a single parent to remain in the family home.

miaoww

No idea why she gives him £200 back all she's ever said is he's got a lot of debt and won't discuss anymore . Their not married so no divorce or any thing

pmlindyloo

A very good guide here which covers everything:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/relationships_e/relationships_relationship_problems_e/ending_a_relationship_when_you_re_living_together.htm

I suggest you get your friend to read it and then take the necessary action re: the house.

macman

Who own the property? If jointly, on what basis (joint tenants, tenants in kind)?
You need to give full info.
If they're not married, then she has no automatic entitlement to a share in the proceeds of the property sale, unless she contributed towards it or it's in joint names. She needs to consult a solicitor.