Hello,
My partner and I have just agreed we have a bad relationship that neither of us are happy with and should look to separate (not married). So far everything is amicable and we're yet to hash out any further details.
We have a jointly owned home and two young children (3 & 6).
What advice do you have for this stage of the breakup? I'm more concerned about protecting access to my children and the beneficial interest in our home/asset. I wouldn't be surprised if my partner manipulates the system to her advantage and looking to safeguard my interests.
Thanks.
I would speak to Child Maintenance Options, the ideal is that you can work out something amicable with regards to child maintenance and access, in the long run, it will save both of you a lot if you can avoid involving solicitors and the courts. Take a look at the child maintenance calculator (from memory though, for 2 children, maintenance is 16% of gross income less 1/7th for each multiple of 52 nights that a child stays with the non resident parent if child care isn't split equally), so that would be your starting point for either non-resident parent.
With regards to the property, you need to speak to solicitors in this respect, but if you can agree a split beforehand, and just use a solicitor to enact that, rather than try to start to push for the best possible deal for one side at the expense of the other. It's worth being a little flexible, even giving away slightly more than you are due can be a lot cheaper than legal expenses if it becomes a battle.
hi,
would suggest try to speak to her about sorting out child arrangements. if this can be done amicably between yourselves, would be great. will you be moving out or her? and how far away?
with child maintenance, you could also try reach private arrangement. you could look at the government calculator: https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance
There are several guides on the advicenow.org.uk website which will give you an idea of what to expect. Basically, priority is given to the children having a roof over their heads so you may find that she gets to keep/live in the family home
I am sorry to hear about your separation. It may be an unsettling time for all of you, but I would encourage both your and your partner to keep on spending regular focused time with each of the children, just being involved in their play or reading a story or playing a game together. They may be too little to understand fully what is happening, but this time together will help you all to keep connected and grounded. You can tell them that both you and your partner love them and reassure them that this is always the case, even if some of the ways you spend time together may change. If you feel able to, at the appropriate time, do let school / nursery know so that they can support you and the children.
Fegan's Parent Support Volunteer
I'm in a similar situation. What was the outcome in the end?