priority not option

hi all, just found this site and hopefully it will be just what i'm looking for....
I'm just about to separate from my husband, not really sure which direction to turn first but hopefully it will not be too traumatic!!
Basically i need to move out of the house as if i stay much longer i'll end up going insane. Our relationship has gone down hill for a few years but i've always managed to pull myself back up and get on with it again. He has 3 daughters and 2 of them absolutley suck him dry of all his money. He has continued to lie about what is going on and has kept me in he dark about credit card bills and loans.. thank god they are in his name and not agagainst the house. We should as a couple be fairly confortable, able to have meals out or holidays etc but so far this isn't the case. i have always felt like i just pay rent in the house and have to do all the housework etc because he pays more than i do (earns twice as much as i do a month!!)
So i want to move out of the house... separate and see how things go. I can't afford to pay for rent in a new place and also towards the mortgage so want to know where i stand with him taking over my side of the payments etc but for me to not loose the house etc... I don't want to end up having to battle to get my share of anything...(i'm not pushing for half of everything as i really can't be bothered, jsut don't want to loose out on what i've invested into)

i feel like my head is exploding with all the things buzzing around ..... anyone in a similar situation? It all sounds so lame when written down and i feel daft....

thanks

If you move into rented accommodation you clearly have to make rent payments your first priority.

I would say that it is unlikely that you would be deprived of all interest in the house. The possibilities are :

1. Immediate sale of the house and division of the proceeds
2. Your husband buys you out ;
3. The house is sold and the proceeds divided when the children reach 18
4. The house is transferred to his name.

Option 4 is pretty drastic and I would say in your case it's unlikely if the marriage has been a long one with children.
You have a respectable argument for a share on the house based on your contributions, not only financial, but also as a wife and mother. Your lower earning position may be a result of your having to help raise the children.

But one would need to know much more before offering anything more than rather vague and general advice. I would suggest you
get an hour's legal advice from a family solicitor.

Mike