Who gets the house when children involved?

[parents!!]

my parents have been together for 30 years, and have now decided to seperate, 4 children 3 of which are grown up (myself being 30) and 1 is at home age 10. My mum has, the majority of time, been a housewife. They own there home with a �60,000 mortgage left in my dads name (i think). Who gets the house? or do they have to sell and split the assets? Does she have any entitlement to stay in the house until the 10 year old is 17? or is that a rumour? Any advice gratefully received!! Thanks

[Upforit]

Legal advice is required here. Do not listen to rumour. I would hope, with a child involved they could come to an agreement.

[lady_p_gold]

Well there are things to take into consideration. Are they going to divorce, is it going to be a legal separation etc. What would happen roughly if they are to go down that route is that they can either agree what to do, i.e. she stays in the house until the child ceases full time education and he supports her and then after that they sell the house .. or they do not agree and it is decided by solicitors which will involve costs. They will add up all their assets and all their debts, look at their individual needs re housing etc. Regardless of her being a housewife she has supported him during all those years and thus contributed to the equity. She would probably be able to stay there, he would have to pay the mortgage and maintenance and if the house was sold she would be awarded (not sure how much equity there is) enough to buy a house for herself. If he has a pension she would also get a share of that. Whatever, she needs to see a solicitor and so does he, and if they can do it amicably it would be better all round.