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What happens your home is your biggest decision. However, there are lots of other issues you need to consider if you split up with someone you were living with.
The house
Whether you own or rent your home there are important issues you need to think about:
- who is going to stay in the house in the short term?
- is it possible to end your tenancy if you are renting?
- can only one of you stay in the tenancy if the other leaves?
- can you afford to pay the rent or mortgage by yourself?
- will you sell the house, and how will you divide the money from the sale?
- what will happen the stuff you bought together?
You may need specialist legal advice about your situation.
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Benefits
Tell the Social Security Agency about your change in circumstances. If you haven't been getting any benefits it may be worthwhile visiting a local advice agency to work out what you may now be entitled to.
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Debts
If you have built up joint debts you need to think about how to deal with them. If the debt is only in your name, you are legally responsible for paying it off, regardless of who actually spent the money.
Tell your credit company if one of you has agreed to pay off the joint debts. Although you are still both legally liable for the debt the credit company will only go after the person who agreed to pay off the debt.
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Bank accounts
If you have a joint bank account you will need to take action - either closing the account or switching it into one name. Removing a name from a joint bank account isn't always as easy as it sounds. Some banks will only take instructions from the person whose name was put first on the form when the account was opened.
You may be able to avoid any hassle if you both write to your bank manager as soon as possible explaining the situation.
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Children
It is best to come to a solution between yourselves without involving the courts. If this is proving difficult you may want to involve a mediation service.
You are both financially responsible for the children. You should pay child support if the children don't live with you.
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Housing Associations (
