The debts of the marriage and the assets are put together as a 'cake'. How that cake is divided can either be decided between you or if you do not agree, then by lawyers. Let me warn you that if there is only �69000 of equity and �25,000 debts then that does not leave much and that sum can easily be swallowed up if you start down the legal road if you are in dispute. It starts off with small fees and then before you know it you are so far into it you can't get out and it just escalates. So if you can do it amicably then it will be better all round. Even if she gets legal aid they will probably then take that out of any settlement she received eventually. What about your pension - she will be entitled to some of that too. If you are doing it amicably you may think it fair to take on your debts yourself but I do not know all the other aspects.