HI,
I have 3 children to my husband. We've been separated for 7 years. At the time of separation, there was a domestic violence protection order against him, which covered myself and the children. Under that stress, I agreed to a 50% split of property at the time. He put considerable pressure on me to agree to this. Although he didn't particularly express any interest in having shared custody of children.
For a year after separating we lived together separated, I supported him financially; ie I paid the mortgage, rates, childcare costs, household bills, etc.
We were together 7 years, married 6.5, before separation. I earned the most money throughout our married life (although he put the deposit into the house). Also in the first year together I supported him financially.
I was the homemaker, and primary caregiver of the children. I left with a lot of debt due to the above, and ultimately went bankrupt, from which I am now discharged. He bought me a car as a loan when I went bankrupt but I am paying it all back to him.
I have full custody of children, as he has been sporadic in his interest in them. Every now and then he wants to see them on a play date weekly but can't sustain it and ends up dropping out of existence.
The past 4 years I have not worked full time. I've been at Uni, and I've taken the time to be MUM to my children who have needed me. (I worked full time when they were all babies). I am now supported by pension, but absolutely do not plan this to last much longer.Now that the children are okay and we are settled in our happy household, one's health has improved and we're all okay again, I will go back to work.
We need to get a divorce obviously as its been too long. As part of the divorce process, no doubt I have to sign off on a property settlement, and custody arrangement. He often SAYS he wants the kids, but he just wants to reduce his child support which he begrudges paying. They don't want to go to him either.
I feel that I made a very bad decision agreeing to a 50% split at the time. My solicitor at the time wanted me to go for 80%. I didn't take his advice though.
I have not had a partner since leaving him. He has had the same partner since before we split up. I believe they own property together but not sure.
Can anyone advise after this long, what are my realistic options please?
The divorce proceedings are unavoidable, and I don't want to regret what I agree to.
Many thanks.
I have 3 children to my husband. We've been separated for 7 years. At the time of separation, there was a domestic violence protection order against him, which covered myself and the children. Under that stress, I agreed to a 50% split of property at the time. He put considerable pressure on me to agree to this. Although he didn't particularly express any interest in having shared custody of children.
For a year after separating we lived together separated, I supported him financially; ie I paid the mortgage, rates, childcare costs, household bills, etc.
We were together 7 years, married 6.5, before separation. I earned the most money throughout our married life (although he put the deposit into the house). Also in the first year together I supported him financially.
I was the homemaker, and primary caregiver of the children. I left with a lot of debt due to the above, and ultimately went bankrupt, from which I am now discharged. He bought me a car as a loan when I went bankrupt but I am paying it all back to him.
I have full custody of children, as he has been sporadic in his interest in them. Every now and then he wants to see them on a play date weekly but can't sustain it and ends up dropping out of existence.
The past 4 years I have not worked full time. I've been at Uni, and I've taken the time to be MUM to my children who have needed me. (I worked full time when they were all babies). I am now supported by pension, but absolutely do not plan this to last much longer.Now that the children are okay and we are settled in our happy household, one's health has improved and we're all okay again, I will go back to work.
We need to get a divorce obviously as its been too long. As part of the divorce process, no doubt I have to sign off on a property settlement, and custody arrangement. He often SAYS he wants the kids, but he just wants to reduce his child support which he begrudges paying. They don't want to go to him either.
I feel that I made a very bad decision agreeing to a 50% split at the time. My solicitor at the time wanted me to go for 80%. I didn't take his advice though.
I have not had a partner since leaving him. He has had the same partner since before we split up. I believe they own property together but not sure.
Can anyone advise after this long, what are my realistic options please?
The divorce proceedings are unavoidable, and I don't want to regret what I agree to.
Many thanks.