where does he stand

[northboy]

a friend of mine has recently come out that he is gay to his wife,they have there own home and two children.
they now wants to sell there home which is a joint mortgage.the question is does he have to keep a roof over his childrens heads until they are 18.

[scoobydooby]

A friend of mine is going through something similar and I think the answer depends on what the wife earns and what sort of house they live in. My friend lives in a very big 4 bed house. She thought she'd be able to stay there but she has been advised that it's unlikely as she doesn't need to live in a house that big. Therefore, they are selling up and she's looking for something smaller. Her husband will be required to pay money to her (which effectively will assist with mortgage payments) but that figure will depend hugely on what she's actually earning for herself.

It's not as cut and dried as people think - all circumstances are taken into consideration.

[bednobs]

in divorce settlements, the reasons for the divorce are not taken into account, just the needs of the people involved, so he wont be penalised extra for being gay. He has to jointly support the children until they are 16 or 19 if in full time education

[northboy]

but is it his responsibility to to keep a roof over there heads.
or is it the financial side of things he has to look after

[scoobydooby]

He has joint responsibility to keep a roof over their heads - along with his wife. If she is not working and is able to (has no physical disabilities etc), this will be taken into consideration. He will not be made to hand over everything just to support his wife and kids. She will be expected to contribute.