Query about a settlement

My Ex walked out on an our eleven year old relationship 11 months ago. We had shared a mortgage together for 4 and half of those years.

He originally said I was to keep the house and contents. (I can manage all mortgage and bill payments myself and have been approved to take over the mortgage in my name only). However he is now refusing to sign the deeds over until i give him some sort of financial settlement. I have had 4 estate agent valuations on our property, all came back with very little equity - max £2000. He is, however still saying he is entitled to settlement, as he shared the costs originally for the furniture/TV's and also some DIY which he carried out.

He came back to me the other day saying he wanted £5k for his share of equity, contents and some work he did on the house (plumbing, new bathroom etc). I have been paying the mortgage by myself since April and feel that this figure is a bit steep. On top of that he has now indicated that if I am having 'second thoughts' about keeping the house he would like to take it on himself and he would pay me £10k!! This is not an option as I want to keep my home.

I am thinking about offering him £2k which would be made up by £1k equity and £1k for the furniture. I would also say if this figure is unacceptable then he can take some of the furniture as i do not have any more cash to give him. Do you think this is a fair offer?

He has threatened to get a solicitor involved which would obviously cost us both a lot more in the the long run. Do you think a solicitor would take his case on knowing the facts (i.e. very little equity, he was the one who left etc)?

Thanks for your time.

Do you have any dependent children living with you ? that could be important.

Could you afford to live there, if you were awarded the house ?

On the face of it, it seems very foolish to get involved in litigation when the amount at issue is as small as this. You'd spend more in arguing about it.

A solicitor might take the case on but could your ex afford his fees ? On the basis of what you say, I'm inclined to doubt it.

LMM

I don't see how he can make any sort of profit at all by suing. The sort of proceedings which would be needed here, a TOLATA application, really needs a solicitor. A solicitor will run through his £5k in no time at all!