Re:settlement ?

I got married in 1996 but the house was mine before the marriage and she is not on the deeds or mortgage because of this. We separated for 6 months after 1 year of marriage and my wife has left on a further 4 or 5 occasions during the 15 year marriage. So in total we have been together for 6 years out of the 15. She has gone again which is just over 2 years ago. The thing is,everytime she left she took money with her and only came back when she had spent everything and when I asked her about divorce she said she would only give me a divorce if I pay her £25,000. I am 60 yrs old and do not have that kind of money, my 2 grown up children are still living with me and I have my 2 year old grandson stay 3 nights a week. How do I stand financially ?

You should seek legal advice. The length of marriage can be considered as medium/long in which case your wife is entitled to a share of the matrimonial assets regardless of who contributed to what.

The breaks in the marriage could be taken into account but in reality only the last two years are relevant.

If the asset-­base­ is limited this will have an effect on who should get what which comes down to *needs*. If your needs are greater than hers, you will stand to obtain more from the matrimonial assets than her.

That is the simplistic view. More information will help give a more detailed view.

Charles