Shared ownership and divorce

poppet17

House in husbands name, now no mortgage, 25% shared ownership for 21 years. Wife shared bills 50/50 until 6/7 years ago when husband got into debt, charge was put on property managed to save house by juggling how and who paid bills.
Wife paid for all house deposits and solicitors fees on purchase,all home improvements, new kitchen, bathroom, doors, windows, all furniture, carpets etc over the 21 years. Wife paid off mortgage and charge on property over 1 year ago. Now divorce is imminent wife wants to keep house (no dependents) but husband has still not put her name on house deeds. Wife is retired and in poor health, how can she stay in property? She is not able to get a mortgage to buy out husband and housing association says as far as they are concerned the 25% is owned by the husband. And yes that wife is me.

BitterAndTwisted

It doesn't matter whose name is on the deeds: the property is an asset of the marriage.

The agreement about what happens to the property is part of the financial settlement, and no-one should go ahead with a divorce without one.

What has to be faced is the possibility that neither will be able to remain in the property.

Husband should have been kicked to the kerb along time ago, like when it became necessary to have a charge put on the property.

poppet17

You are right but we all need somewhere to live and at the time there was no other option available. I guess it will be a grotty flat and a lifetime of building a home and contents will be sold off....whats the point of trying to better yourself.
So here is a warning to everyone....don't bother trying to build a nice home unless you live alone because there is always someone out there that will do you over or bleed you dry...there is no such thing as a trustworthy relationship.