New kitchen

This may be a stupid question. I want a new kitchen - my current one is 12 yrs old. We were going to get a new kitchen just before stbx left. I;ve had a quote for one at about 4K. Can i just go ahead and spend some savings on this - we havent got to financial disclosure yet... or is this going to cause me problems further down the line?

Thanks

If you are in the midst of ancillary relief I would steer clear of spending large sums much better to get things sorted first and then if you can afford to refit your kitchen you can go ahead. I assume you expect to stay in house if you want to refurbish it? Are you sure this will happen?

I don't know the legal opinion, but I would say hold off.

What if he dipped into the savings to the tune of £4k and spent it on something he wanted?

A new kitchen isn't a need or necessity, its a 'would be quite nice'.

If he agreed that it would add value to the home and that you'd both benefit from the increased equity, then thats a different matter.

Usually once separation has occurred, all joint accounts should be put into 'Marital Dispute' to prevent either parties spending before finances have been agreed.

WR

Ok house is in my sole name (we have been married 12 yrs) I have 4 small children (eldest 8 , youngest 1 and my 6 yr old has a disability) We have no joint savings. he has his savings and I have mine. he has been left a year and I have been paying for mortgage on my own in that time.

I'm no expert but I think the house is still a matrimonial asset - as will be your savings and his. All in the pot for division.

Maybe a wiser wiki could clarify things for both of us

I think so too.. My solicitor has said "he won;t get much if anything" due to my circs but I just wonder what happens if I spend it - obviously I dont want to get in trouble, but on the other hand the kitchen is falling to bit and Id love a new kitchen from the whole "fresh start" and reclaiming my house point of view :/ Someone did say to me "well once its gone its gone" .. Its like me spending my savings paying for the divorce . He cant claim those cos ive spent it on divorcing the adulterous *@£$* ;D

If you wish to retain the house a £4k kitchen might increase the the value of the property by more than £4k.

If you are to have the house formally valued to determine what share of the assets your husband is to receive, it may be the case that a new kitchen might bump up the valuation to your detriment.

You may well have to forego the cash to buy your husband's interest in the property but this would most likely be in lieu of a deferred charge (a mesher order). You wouldn't then have the means to replace your kitchen but the property would be yours and yours alone (assuming the assets permit such a deal)

Charles