Separating and Divorcing Husband Who Is Very Difficult

Savvy_Sue

BigMac79 said:

So he has a business he’s set up earlier this year and his collection of stuff. He doesn’t know that she knows about the business. 

What happens if he fails to declare these at mediation stage?

then she declares it to the mediator. But she may need 'proof' in some form. 

BigMac79

She’s brought up his collection. She’s photographed what she can and has described what he has and the volume to a friend of mine who also collects this sort of stuff. His estimate right now is conservatively anywhere between £10-20k value maybe even more. She says his mums loft is also full of his stuff. So it looks like he’s sitting on an absolute gold mine. 

She text him about detailing what he has for mediation due to its large value. He hasn’t replied yet. But she now has a record of raising it with him. She hasn’t mentioned that she knows about the business. 

BigMac79

Would she be entitled to half of his collection even though he started it years before they even met? She has no idea what he actually had when they got married apart from there was a lot of stuff   

kangoora

Second hand warhammer figures, metal ones especially, can be ridiculously costly. I used to dabble on Ebay and had bought a few small warhammer collections over the last few years to sell. £50 for a well painted plastic model (or boxed, untouched) tank/troop carrier plane is easily achievable. I sold ONE metal character figure (about 30mm) for £30 a couple of years ago, a wizard mounted on a pegasus netted me £75. I bought a small boxful of metal figures at a car boot for £20, when I got them home and researched them on Ebay the value was in excess of £400 (probably 25 or so items) - although there were a lot of metal 'named figures' in the box.

It is quite conceivable that there are thousands of pounds worth. A note of warning, for plastic figures most of the value is in the quality of the painting, for metal figures not so much - most metal figures will be more than 20 years old now and a lot can be collectable in their own right.

BigMac79

During mediation he agreed to be bought out and to have his stuff valued. He’s now submit his valuation to the mediator which is based on his own estimates. He split his collections into 3 groups which he’s valued at £500 each. I’m halfway through valuing just the computer games which are already over £2000!!! His memorabilia he valued at £500 when just a few items are worth over £1500!  Not quite sure if he’s stupid or lying. 

sallysaver

BigMac79 said:

During mediation he agreed to be bought out and to have his stuff valued. He’s now submit his valuation to the mediator which is based on his own estimates. He split his collections into 3 groups which he’s valued at £500 each. I’m halfway through valuing just the computer games which are already over £2000!!! His memorabilia he valued at £500 when just a few items are worth over £1500!  Not quite sure if he’s stupid or lying. 

In a word, both!

sassyblue

BigMac79 said:

During mediation he agreed to be bought out and to have his stuff valued. He’s now submit his valuation to the mediator which is based on his own estimates. He split his collections into 3 groups which he’s valued at £500 each. I’m halfway through valuing just the computer games which are already over £2000!!! His memorabilia he valued at £500 when just a few items are worth over £1500!  Not quite sure if he’s stupid or lying. 

You’re kind.  As I said I work for a divorce lawyer and he’s lying.

He previous bought the stuff so he knows what he’s paid at least. He’s not stupid - this happens all the time.  Your friend may find he overestimates the value of her belongings.... funny that....

On the other hand whatever it’s worth forms part of the assets of the marriage (assuming they have been married for a few years and/or the vast majority of the collection was purchased during the time of the marriage).

the good news.... If he values it low it means less money your friend needs to raise to buy him out. 😉  Your friend could play for time and see what he will settle for and she can then decide if it’s worth letting him leave with it all.

BigMac79

I have valued the games now - £5100!! Still got everything else to go but I also have a collectable trading card collection at a little over £3000, a very small number of his memorabilia items at £1700 and thats before I even start getting into the meat and bones of it all. She doesn't necessarily want half of it, It is more about the fact that she has no assets and he clearly has substantial assets probably worth £15-20k minimum so she wants to use that to bring down the amount she needs to pay to buy him out of the house.

He has been collecting this stuff for years however he has added to it substantially during their 10 year relationship. They have been married 5 years but have had joint finances for pretty much the entire 10 years. She is also upset that their house is completely full of his stuff, they havent been able to use the dining room or conservatory the entire time they have lived in the house due to sheer volume of boxes everywhere. Obviously he has refused to ever move anything.

calleyw

BigMac79 said:

I have valued the games now - £5100!! Still got everything else to go but I also have a collectable trading card collection at a little over £3000, a very small number of his memorabilia items at £1700 and thats before I even start getting into the meat and bones of it all. She doesn't necessarily want half of it, It is more about the fact that she has no assets and he clearly has substantial assets probably worth £15-20k minimum so she wants to use that to bring down the amount she needs to pay to buy him out of the house.

Can I ask how are you valuing the games?  As second pc/console games are often not worth more than a few pounds unless than are rare or fairly new popular games. Look on cex and see what they buy at not what they sell at.  And not what you think he paid for it at retail price.

Yours

Calley x

strawb_shortcake

Games Workshop stuff isn't called plastic crack for nothing, its hugely expensive. 
We have a couple of boxes in the attic which belong to my BIL as we've not seen him for years its quite tempting to sell them myself.
But agree on the video games, vast difference between new and second hand