Whats the law on people "getting Half" in a seperation?

[Randomface74]

This splitting of assets apply if not married also, or just if you're married?

Very much applies - but I think it's slightly less evil as you didn't make any promises.

Although it's worth remembering anything you do promise to a spouse can be held against you in divorce proceedings.

So you basically have to stay single for ever - or you'll definitely get screwed over

 

[Raumarik]

Very much applies - but I think it's slightly less evil as you didn't make any promises.

Although it's worth remembering anything you do promise to a spouse can be held against you in divorce proceedings.

I'd disagree, the separations of a few of my mates from their girlfriends/fiances were some of the most evil horrid things I've had to witness. They literally argued over every plate and cup in the house and dragged it on for ages. There's very little difference, once you move in with someone these days it's hard to just boot them out unless you do it fairly quickly.

 

[Ahleckz]

As an aside side not to this thread . Just thought i would mention the Legal Aid side of divorce.

The current government is changing the legal aid system yet again. The latest changes pretty much remove legal aid from most existing family law cases except those where violence is proven.

Quite rightly, legal aid should be scrapped for the vast majority (if not all) of civil cases. Legal aid is a right mess, and is massively abused. It's costing the tax payers billions a year as it's open to so many people. Frankly, it's costing us far to much and needs to be severely scaled back.

 

[Raumarik]

But given the situation where she was not a full time student, and I asked her to pay her share of the groceries only, do you honestly believe that in the event of a seperation that this entitles her to a share of the property I solely invested in?

How has she invested nothing in it? You've let her move in, or you have agreed to live WITH her. You aren't asking her to pay, so you're accepting that you are paying her share. The idea here being her SHARE. If you want a tenant who likes to do the randy and still pay rent then I suggest you split with your current girlfriend and start advertising.

You are in a relationship with her and have agreed to live with her, I honestly don't understand your logic. You build a life together, not with one person doing the lot and other leeching, if that's how it feels show her the door

 

[Deyvy]

No, this is not the case. In fact 50/50 should only really come about when you're talking about massive amounts of cash so in effect it wont make any difference to either persons standard of living. say you have 50 million, will you change the way you live if you give half to your ex? No, you'll shop at the same places, drive the same cars, holiday where you like.

Not sure if this confirms or contradicts your point. But I remember a story on the BBC website. Basically married couple, guy ends up starting very successful company after they married. Years later divorce, he offers her something like 50 million pounds. But she wants her half, that included half the value of the company. They/he pretty much made all the wealth and she was the housewife.

That would mean he would have to break up the company or put it at risk to raise the money. Not sure what happened, might try and find the link.

 

[nas]

I learned this fact when I made my will. If said person decided to want a share of your stuff after you snuffed it and you werent married. Stuff like proving they contributed to living costs could entitle them to a share of your estate.

The example my solicitor used was even stuff like buying groceries..

I can understand the issue with people having mortgages and people being able to argue they had a part in contributing to paying the mortgage, beit directly or via other means of support like paying bills and grocerys etc... But if one party had a property paid for prior to the relationship how can there be any justifaction for any right to it?

I understand if say you both payed for a kitchen to be put in the I suppose its "fair" to give them back the cost of the kitchen they no longer can use etc...
But any bills payed would surely come under their living expenses as well, seeing as they would no longer have those expenses to pay when seperated how would that class as a stake?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stack_v_Dowden

 

[.one.]

If you live with a bird and you own all and not married and you break up she will get nothing it's a mith.

 

[aln]

How has she invested nothing in it? You've let her move in, or you have agreed to live WITH her. You aren't asking her to pay, so you're accepting that you are paying her share. The idea here being her SHARE. If you want a tenant who likes to do the randy and still pay rent then I suggest you split with your current girlfriend and start advertising.

You are in a relationship with her and have agreed to live with her, I honestly don't understand your logic. You build a life together, not with one person doing the lot and other leeching, if that's how it feels show her the door

My logic is fairly simple, I invested in my education and my career in order to earn finances so I could get the stuff I wanted. I believe the stuff I earned should belong to me under any circumstances other than in the event of new life which I am responsible for.

Unless you believe the "all woman are prostitutes" mantra then she hasn't earnt anything for sleeping with me, as she's done that for her own pleasure as much as mine. Any other aspects of the relationship should cancel each other out, as both sexes commit to a relationship, not just the females.

Seriously a relationship is about spending time together and enjoying each others company, its not an excuse for females not to pull their weight then claim some funds at the end when they get bored.

Maybe I'm screwed up, but unless she can't work because I asked her to be my house wife or something along those lines, I don't see the connection.

 

[bledd]

Can you just 'agree' between yourselves and not involve solicitors?

 

[eatcustard]

Prety sure they are not legally binding in the uk though

That is correct
But a judge can overturn some/all of it.

 

[I_M_Weasel]

Can you just 'agree' between yourselves and not involve solicitors?

Yes, of course you can and many people want to do this and take their fair share, however after a quick chat with a solicitor they have been convinced that their role in the relationship has been much greater and that they are entitled to much more and a divorce that might have been friendly turns into a war.

 

[LordSplodge]

If you're that mistrustful don't get married.

I'd like to point out that there is no such thing as an automatic 50/50 split. Oh and like a previous poster has said if there are children involved all bets are off. You have a duty of care at that point.

Personally I dislike pre-nuptials - They just seem to be popular now because of celebrities getting married and then divorced five seconds later with stupid pay outs.

Here's what I say: Don't rush marriage and accept the fact that it is always possible to get done over in life but you are going to live a sad life if you assume everybody is just out to get the Benjamin's out of you...