This Time I'm Really Going To Do It

WuLiao

Watty1 said:

Today my plans are to ride Most Handsome and phone the council about the threatened legal action on the council tax.

I didn't read this properly and had a wonderful mental picture of you riding up the steps of the council offices to demand answers from horseback 🤣 Could be a worthwhile strategy...

Humdinger1

Yes, we could accompany you.  Some on horseback, others with flaming torches to storm Dracula's castle.  There may be better targets than the council, of course...

Watty1

Love that image.  I'm sure Most Handsome would add a lot of snorting to that LOL

The council were somewhat surprised that I persisted that the term "jointly and severally liable" made them complicit in economic abuse. I spoke to a few lovely people who didn't want to agree but could not disagree.  Eventually It was suggested I speak to a manager by the name of  Pxxx Rxxx but said man was found to be unavailable.  Eventually Mr P R did email me clearly thinking that was a safer bet thank speaking to me.    his email waffles about joint liability blah de blah but in these exceptional circumstances the council will give me a discount and only expect me to pay my share and will chase the ex for his share.

I considered this a small win. 

Only today the ex has been emailing me most nicely.    Dear Readers the poor man has very high blood pressure and feels that he will now have to take medication and he therefore wants this to end as soon as possible and he suggested I would pay the council tax in return for the farm machinery he has been wanting money for. 

I think the subtext is his high blood pressure is my fault.   I supressed giggles and will respond over the weekend when suits me.

Humdinger1

The wonderful wickedness of @Watty1 xx. It's only him that makes it necessary, no?!

badmemory

I'm sure we all feel really sorry about his (self inflicted) high blood pressure.  Did that sound sincere?  Wasn't supposed to.

They just don't know how to stop do they.  My ex couldn't stop with the control, he agreed via our solicitors that he would pay maintenance via standing order into the account as in one of my solicitors letters. (We are talking almost £5k 30 years ago).  He never did it was always a cheque that I had to take to the bank to pay in, usually just the odd day late.  Always using up some of my headspace.

Suffolk_lass

Definitely do not agree to pay the Council Tax, or anything else on his behalf. With his track record? you He must be joking!

Slinky

How's Watty dog? Settling in to a better routine with you I hope?

Watty1

Sadly Wattydog is struggling too.  I am light hearted about my situation a lot of the time but I have real moments of anxiety and grief.   I think it might be the same for WattyDog.  He has spent so much time with the ex and frankly been used by the ex who would take him when it suited and leave him at the house when it suited.     And now the ex has just vanished and Wattydog does seem a bit anxious and unsettled.  I've told him it will take time.

I'm still uncertain about WattyDog in the future. I have always thought the ex would want him and take him and I had got used to not having a dog.   Present behaviour does suggest otherwise. WattyDog gets an hours walk a day now which was more than he had with the ex I'm sure but the dog's behaviour is terrible.  All basic commands forgotten.  I think he needs remedial training. I've found a local training class for him and if I keep him then that will be our social event of the week together!

Slinky

Oh that's not great news. I hope he calms down and learns to enjoy his new life with you.

Watty1

WattyDog slowly improving.  Maybe this will all work out.

The injunction has turned out to be a major win for me.   Conveyancing halted because I was unwilling to ignore a few things, raised them and inevitably I was treated to a letter from his solicitor that was aggressive and bullying so I ignored it.    The ex emailed me asking why work had halted and I simply responded see your solicitors last letters.    He could not see any outstanding issues so I, by email, explained stamping ones foot, yelling no way and threatening legal action did not mean an end to a discussion is was just bullying.

After an evening of flipping emails back and forth I have negotiated a £22,500 discount on the purchase price and agreed i can have all the farm machinery if I pay the outstanding council tax.

I have all this on email and have printed it of and filed it.   I'm delighted.  Roughly this is a £25 k saving for me.  A win I only achieved thanks to the occupation order, and, he emailed me very politely this morning asking if my solicitor could not get on with transferring the properties.    I'm over the moon!

Later today I will transfer a lump sum to premium bonds.  This is where the money for the Charming Cob operation came from and I think to put a sum back there for Vet Emergencies is a good plan.  It might not be the most efficient saving account but I like the idea it is there, and i can forget it, and I might just have a win