Long one - please help!

[zante90]

Hi,

I am going to court tomorrow for a final hearing relating to ancilliary relief with my ex-wife. I discovered on Friday that my legal aid will not be funded and I cannot afford to pay my now ex-solicitor. I have no idea how the law works and am going to have to represent myself... Any advice on the following would be much appreciated...

1) My ex-wife and I bought the property using a gift of �85k from her mother on the condition that she have a self-contained unit within the property and contribute to household expenses. Initially (as shown in conveyancing files) it was her intention to have a Declaration of Trust drawn up, however this was never done. I was not party to the discussions and only remember a conversation between my then wife and M-i-l stating that a gift would be better as it would then be considered a potentially exempt transfer in the event of her death (she is not likely to pop off in the next 7 years!!). However, she is now arguing that she has a beneficial interest in the property which basically means that there is very little equity in the property.

2) My ex-wife and I have numerous debts in both sole and joint names. These amount to somewhere in the region of �65,000. There are three credit card debts in my sole name amounting to �15,000 - however the statements show that �12,000 of this amount has been spent on property renovations, my ex's hair (�695 in 9 months...) and a car which she has subsequently sold at (allegedly) �1,750 less than the current market value. Her current partner (with whom she was having an affair) is a car dealer and it would seem strange for her to lose out.

I would be so grateful of any advice you can offer. I'm not trying to rip anyone off or get revenge - I simply don't want to end up with nothing but a pile of debt! I'm absolutely dreading tomorrow so any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[gina32]

just seen your question and note that nobody answered you, i hope that everything went ok for you.

[zante90]

Just got back - been a long day!! Ex MIL now has beneficial interest in the house so lost that bit :(

Debts and maintenance tomorrow so another late one going through reams of paperwork...

Thanks for your kind message though!

[gina32]

hope it all goes well tomorrow x

[jaycee401]

Hi Zante
How did everything go for you.
Can I ask how long it took for things to go to court. I have a case which has gone to the adjudicator at the land registry thru my ex partner trying to claim an interest on my property. He also wants ME to pay off HIS credit card debts.
Still waiting for a court date.
Hope everything went ok for you. x