When a relationship reaches crisis point, it can be tempting to think, “That’s it, I’m leaving the matrimonial home because I just can’t stand it”. When it comes to “Should I stay or should I go?” You might want to consider these points below first…
The cost:
If you take a 6 month tenancy on a new flat, you just doubled your outgoings. Where are you going to get the money from? Before you sign up to anything legal, make sure you have the financial bases covered.
Meeting your housing need.
Legally, it is important that each party has somewhere to live. Any long term division of assets will try to meet both the parties needs. But if you just took a one bedroom flat, you kind of scuppered your chances of saying “I must have half the house immediately,” didn’t you? Because now you have proved that you have a roof over your head. So not so smart unless you have discussed it thoroughly with your lawyer….
Special stuff.
It may sound silly now, but do not rely on being able to get your things back once you have lost control of the front door. Usually, it is the little sentimental bits and bobs that have a habit of “disappearing”. So if you are set on leaving , then take the stuff you just can’t bear to lose with you. Also, take important papers – your birth certificate, passport, qualification papers etc.
Your position with the children.
If you consider yourself to be the person with whom the children will live long term, or if you consider that the children should have a shared arrangement, then leaving to live on your own will prejudice your position.
Inertia:
It sounds a bit odd, but where there’s tension there’s action. If you take the pressure off the need to sort things out , then things just, well, stay not sorted out.
Of course, if you are experiencing domestic abuse then the above considerations are not really something that should be worrying you as much as your personal safety and that of your children. A consultation with a lawyer may help you do things right before making an irreversible decision.
