new to all this

Hi,
we are about to start seperation/divorce proceedings -and i`m scared.
I`ve been married to him 30 years. 3 kids all at home 22, .21 and 16yrs.
I`ve just been made redundant after 17 yrs and the lump sum and small pension that i now receive would have been enough to keep me going for next 5 years or so (im 51yrs)
Now that we`re going to get divorced I`m worried about the family home-no mortgage.
my stbx will not move out. Tension is high -
what rights do i have?
hope someone knows whwere to start.

Hi Cecilia

Sorry to hear about your situation. Dicvorce is not easy but it can be handled, and you can come out feeling much better!

At a practical level if you have no mortgage on the family home it means you have plenty of equity so don't panic.

If you and your stbx are still able to talk amicably can you sit down and try and work out the finances. You need to look at things like the value of your house, and consider options (one of you keeps the house and buys the other out, you sell the house and split the proceeds, you rent the house out for a while and both rent or buy)

If you do not feel you can do this amicably you could try mediation which is cheaper than solicitors.

I would say you should not rush into things, the age of your children means they are self sufficient so you should not feel to pressured to rush

All the best

S