10 years on -Back at square one!!

Sorry Beth, but this makes things a little more unclear.

You absolutely have to find the information from the original court appointment - or get a solicitor to do so.

I suspect it was an application for interim spousal maintenance, so you can claim using the standard Ancillary Relief process. If it was a full Consent Order, then you can apply for suitable living maintenance as the PWC.

I'd advise you to get proper legal advice - your case sounds very complicated. If you have no funds, go to the Citizen's Advice Bureau and ask them to help you apply for Legal Aid.

Hi tets

Thanks so much. I think my next course of action is to seek the help of a solicitor and attempt to gain copies from the court of the court order, and take it from there.

At least i now feel there is some hope!

Beth

Thanks so much for your very helpful comments.

At least i have some avenues to explore further.

Next step - lawyer, this is obviously a very complex case and i am going to need all the assistance and help i can get to ensure a fair outcome for myself and the children.

Thanks again and hopefully all is not lost!

Beth

Yes you are right I am searching for a morale outcome to my situation...and I'm only in the same postion as 1000's who assumed if you live as husband and wife, children, share home,joint finances, on seperation this relationship would be acknowledged and a non working mother would be offered some protection.

I suppose I also feel quite bitter, as I've given up my career to care for our children whilst his has progressed massively, now to the point he owns his own company. I donot have any formal skills or qualificiations but worked hard and worked my way up the ladder. eventually gaining a respected well paid position. I will never be able to walk back into a similar position on same level of pay, as my experience is now outdated, the industry moves on so quickly! I will have to start at the bottom again.

I think it's time to lobby my MP, after all the goverment, treat co-habiting partners as husband and wife when it benefits them! ie benefit calulations etc so they are fully aware of modern living !

I know i am clutching at straws, so to speak, having previously been married to him and not concluding our finances on divorce!

Also, it makes me sad to think that if the court had refused to grant Decree Absolute until all financial issues are resolved,especially when there was a young child involved, I would not be divorced today! This would certainly give me and our children some protection now we are seperating, with 14 years of marriage under my belt.

Thanks for letting me have a rant!