Question / Advice

My friends husband cheated on her using sex workers and porn sites. He has moved out, back with parents but obviously is paying for half bills as his name is still on them. There are two young children. My friend has offered to buy him out lump sum now with rest to follow at agreed time. The mortgage goes from 1.5% to 7% in two months time. He obviously would be responsible for half of that yet he seems in no rush to sort anything out. He doesn't pay towards childrens clothes/school clubs etc. He says he cannot afford to buy a house with the £70k initial payment. My friend who is earning 20k less is trying her very best and has cut her cloth to fit her new outgoings yet her husband is not, he top of the range limited edition car which must be around £800 monthly top designer gear. He rarely turned up for mediation and just really has no interest in sorting anything even with the mortgage increase looming. My friend is paying for holiday clubs, new uniforms, clothes etc and he isn't contributing nothing towards these needs. She works full time too. She's scared of Court costs but is there anything she can do to get him to be realistic about stuff and get things done. Its been dragging on now for 2 years. Thank you.

He isn’t responsible for half the mortgage. They are each liable for the full amount and the lender could chase either or both for payment.

He should be paying child maintenance though. Work out what this is on CMS site and compare to what he is currently paying. It may be worth applying.