This

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/TAXCREDITS/who-qualifies.htm

has a ­link­ to a questionnaire which your wife can complete to see if she is eligible for tax credits.

If she is the only adult in a household, then she should be able to get 25% council tax reduction (as should you, if she is the one that leaves the marital home).

Can somebody explain to me how somebody can expect maintenance for life. They are getting half the pension and then they want maintenance on top of that. Shouldn't the pension provide for somebody beyond 65 without the need to sponge off an ex husbang.


There isn't a formulaic approach to calculating SM. In court the starting point are the matters under s25 Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, in particular establishing an amount that allows the applicant to live at an appropriate standard in light of the other s25 factors. From that figure the income of the applicant can be deducted to produce their income needs. Then it's a question of calculating the ability of the other party to meet those needs and considering proportionality so there is balance.

Once it has been determined that SM should be paid and how much, thought is given to when it should stop. SM ends on remarriage but otherwise the court may only limit the term if it is satisfied that the payee can adjust to maintenance ending without undue hardship. In practice that might be after a few years to allow for readjustment, until the youngest child reaches 18 years of age or when pensionable age is reached and joint lives is relatively uncommon.

My wife saw the Income Supoprt people today and they've told her how much she should get, BUT, they've said she won't get anything until after they've seen copies of the mortgage documentation and mortgage insurance policies. Does anyone know why they need to see these? She says they didn't really explain why they need them, just that they do.

Thanks