Splitting After 28 Years, What Are We Entitled To

[ottosump]

Hi group, my relationship with my partner of 28yrs is at an end, she is asking for closure and needs what is hers, we have 3 properties, all in joint names, 100k shared in bonds and just short of 200k savings in Isa's etc. She has never worked, but has been a good mother to our children and a hard worker at home, alas the inevitable question is, what is she entitled to?
kindest regards to all

[murraymints]

straight down the middle ?

[Zacs-Master]

1. Are you in UK or USA?
2. Do you have a solicitor?

[bednobs]

it is much better to reach an agreement together on what she is entitled to, so that both partners are happy, rather than use up funds getting Lawyers tof fight it out on your behalf. What do you consider reasonable? What does she?
I suspect the final answer will lie somewhere between "more than you want to give her" and "less than she wants"

[ottosump]

We are in the UK, no solicitors involved (yet)

[Hopkirk]

Married?

[ottosump]

OK, what I meant was she has never been employed & contributed financially

[murraymints]

you will both be losers if you involve lengthy negotiations through solicitor...straight down the middle seems fair..she has worked hard at home and raised your kids...so just grin and bear it and keep good relations for the kid's sake..cough up and get on with a new life...

[ottosump]

Never married...

[Sir Alec]

If she is getting custody of the children, she will need a substantial amount to bring them up with.
Housework is a lot harder than many people think. Generally by those who've never done it.

[Zacs-Master]

I'd start with CAB and go from there:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/relationships/living-together-marriage-and-civil-partnership/living-together-and-marriage-legal-differences/#h-legal-status

[Barmaid]

On the face of it given all assets are in joint names 50/50. If you can agree on that, great.

The starting point is always how the assets are held and it is for he who is claiming otherwise to prove it.

[DTCwordfan]

straight down the middle for anything since you came together.....anything you had before is yours - or hers, anything you have given each other becomes personal, so you can't split jewellery, watches etc. Ditto on cars if you have given her one.

Be careful of any implied loans unless there was a specific agreement or promissary note.

[ottosump]

All children are up and have their own lives

[murraymints]

that really does not matter...they had to be brought up to that point..rearing kids and keeping house are not inconsiderable tasks...so...put hand in pocket..split the pennies and move on...

[ottosump]

Thank you for the info, much appreciated

[TWR]

Don't be so tight, 1/2 & 1/2 Is that right.

[Sir Alec]

If you go to court, which from the way you are talking, I've no doubt that's where this will end up, DTC is correct. Anything that you have given her over the years is considered "a gift" and cannot be split or taken from her.

[Barmaid]

TWR: Your post is a bit judgemental.

Note: Please refrain from being rude, abusive or judgemental - members come here for advice, not judgement! Members who offer only moral judgement will be suspended.

And NO, it is not correct about what was hers before is hers. The starting point here is in whose name the assets are held. If they are held in joint names on a joint tenancy, there is a presumption that they are jointly owned 50/50 - if they are held as tenants in common on an unequal basis the presumption is that is what the parties intended. That presumption can be displaced by evidence of the common intention of the parties, but that remains the starting point.