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Hi, this is my first post so please be patient with me.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 15 years ago. 10 years ago I had to give up work, I worked in the building trade all my life and my body has given up on me. When I gave up work I was in a very low place but my wife started work as a cleaner within a few weeks. My benefit still covered the main bills and the wife paid the food shopping, tv licence and endowment. Being stuck at home, I was looking after my 2 girls. I used to help out in their school, going into class and helping all the kids with anything I was asked. This helped but I still went into a deep depression. I had no support from my wife, all she wanted me to do was house work, which most of of the time caused me a great deal of pain. She would moan when I forgot to do things or just couldn't do them. We went through some difficult times, I was going to Drs all the time trying to get help. She would do almost nothing to support me. We ended up splitting up but both remained in the family home. Every penny I ever earned went into making that house a family home, including converting the loft myself. My wife decided she needed a break so went to stay with her nan for a couple of weeks leaving me to look after the girls alone. Seeing as I had been doing this anyway for the last few years I managed very well. Then she wanted to come back home for the kids sake, so I agreed. But she wasn't going to share the same bedroom anymore. Understandable, and I was grateful. She moves into the girls bedroom. This only lasted a few weeks then she started moaning that nothing had changed for me and everything had for her. It seemed a little selfish of her to me but I moved things around and gave her the main bedroom and I moved into the loft. We went to counseling, but after just a few sessions she had had enough as things didn't go as she expected so she decided to stop going. I was in so much pain and so depressed that I just went along with anything just for a peaceful life. After a while she said that I should move out as we had started arguing and it was affecting the children. Everything was what she wanted but she was still not happy. I agreed to move out for the sake of the kids so we broke the news to them. Nothing was rushed so I didn't leave straight away, this I think helped the girls come to terms with the idea of me not living at home. I hope it helped anyway. Before I had even moved out, my wife had started divorce proceedings without even telling me. She caused arguments and made my life as uncomfortable and unhappy as she could so I just couldn't live at home with my girls any longer. I am not working, I have no money, so I was forced to move in with an old family friend. This didn't last longer than 6 months as she thought I would be moving in and acting as a carer for her and her husband. This didn't work as I had problems of my own. I was given divorce papers by my wife, well, she shoved them in my bag when I went to get the girls one weekend. I ignored them thinking that nothing could happen without my signature for at least 5 years. Thats how it was with my mum and dad when I was a kid. But laws have changed and so the solicitors and court believed every lying word that she said. It was all blamed on me for the breakdown of the marriage. Even though I was ill and she could not except that or support me when I needed it most. She broke our marriage vows, in sickness and in health. All I did was to get sick. The divorce went ahead without me, now I have been given papers to sort out finances, but she wants it all for herself and is only offering me less than a quarter of the property value. She seems to have money for anything she wants. She works as a part time cleaner in a school yet she can afford solicitors, new car, new carpet, shower, three piece suite, and the girls get plenty of pocket money from her. I have nothing, no home, no money, only see my girls once a week, which includes a 2 hour round trip morning and evening every weekend.
I have been given these papers, Notice of Response To First Appointment, but don't know what to do with them. My condition messes with my memory most of the time so everything just confuses me. I can't afford a solicitor, CAB are of no help, they just told me to call a solicitor knowing that I have no money. I get £72 a week and am still paying £58 a month towards the mortgage.
I don't know what to do.
Can anyone please help me.
Thanks for any help offered
Andy66
Oh Andy, I'm so sorry to read about your situation & the CAB haven't been very helpful.
Some solicitors offer 30 minute free consultations so it's worth ringing around and booking as many as you can. Have you thought about attending Mediation with your ex? This is the one area where Legal Aid is still available? Your ex may have to pay depending on her financial circumstances. Here's a link to Mediation.
You could also try calling Coram Children's Legal Centre, they have a free helpline although I'm not sure what level of advice they can offer regarding finances. Also, Families Need Fathers have a telephone helpline where you might get some advice.
Sorry I can't be of more help. Hopefully someone else with more experience might be able to offer more specific advice.
Good luck with it all.....
Hi again, so busy typing, forgot you'd had a 'Notice of Response to First Appointment'..... This would mean Mediation might not be appropriate....Half asleep and not finished my coffee!
Hi, thanks for your reply.
My ex wife has already been to mediation but I was not invited. She has mail sent to her address for me when it suits her. I don't know how she does it. Even the courts have my address but still send stuff to her address for me.
I would get that stopped - make sure that anyone who is sending you mail is sending it directly - after all, she may decide not to pass on something crucial.
You may find this action guide helpful - Applying for a Financial Order Without the Help of a Lawyer.
www.advicenow.org.uk/data/files/financial-order-june2014-final-1628.pdf
This section of the guide answers your question specifically
www.advicenow.org.uk/advicenow-guides/family/applying-for-a-financial-order-without-the-help-of-a-lawyer/other-things-to-do-before-the-first-appointment,10409,FP.html
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