One of the many decisions that couples face is what will happen to the family home when they go their separate ways: Will it be sold or will it be retained by one spouse or another to provide a home for them and often also for the children of the family?

An important first step when deciding whether you want to stay or go is to get the full picture of the assets available and take advice as to how much you are able to borrow on a mortgage in your own name.

Once you have an idea of your own borrowing capacity you will have a preliminary view as to whether staying in the family home is feasible for you.

It is however also important to consider the following:

1)     If you remain in the family home, can you meet the outgoings associated with the upkeep of the house?

2)     Are you maximising your income in order to relieve the burden and stress of meeting the outgoings?  Examples of additional income include child maintenance, spousal maintenance and state benefits.

3)     Are you able to obtain a new mortgage in your own name?  This may include not only taking over the existing mortgage, or securing a mortgage for the same amount as is outstanding, but also raising an additional lump sum to “buy out” your spouse’s interest.

Inevitably when spouses separate there can be a fundamental dispute as to whether one person will stay in the family home or whether it should be sold.  In the event of a dispute, the court can intervene and make an order upon application by either spouse. Orders that can be made include:

  • An immediate sale of the home with a division of the proceeds;
  • An outright transfer of one spouse’s interest to the other with or without payment of a lump sum to the other spouse;
  • A postponed sale of the house, with one spouse remaining in occupation, usually until the children complete their education or until you remarry. When the ‘trigger event occurs’ the house is than sold and proceeds divided in specified proportions.

Remaining in the family home has its advantages although some will argue that an immediate sale will bring about closure and a fresh start.

Testimonials

Read what our clients have to say...

View All

Excellent experience start to finish – always very responsive to any queries and the turnaround on the property I was buying was very quick, even in the busy time leading up to stamp duty deadline. Jenny was always very helpful and went above and beyond to close on a short timescale.

Ben Armitage

“Very approachable, practical solutions to problems, but most of all very responsive which I personally think is very important because if you need help, you need it quickly, or at least to know someone is looking at it for you”.

Joanne Rowe, Finance Director, Greater Manchester Chamber

“Always able to contact, very approachable, friendly and professional”

Nives Feely, JAM Recruitment

“I believe I have been able to establish a professional working relationship with everyone I have come into contact. Importantly, I sense the relationships which have been established give me the confidence that I can make contact with Davis Blank Furniss at any time and on any matter. I would also like to express my thanks to the very impressive “gatekeepers” who work in reception, not only for making me very welcome, but also for their professionalism”

Bill Pryke, CEO, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors

“Thank you for your efficient and friendly help throughout this process. We have had it easy but your approach has been part of that”.

Robert Amsbury (Conveyancing Client)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for the ongoing support and assistance the firm has offered to our parents over the years. I hope also that we may be able to call on you if necessary in the future.”

Valerie Fisher (Probate Client)

“Jo always provides great service, understands our needs and delivers on her promises. Our needs are relatively simple but the complexity arises out of the volume of work and short time frames, Jo always delivers.”

Peter Fernandez, Corporate Director at Royal Bank of Scotland

“A big thank you to all who dealt with my wife’s claim… We would not hesitate to recommend Davis Blank Furniss to anyone that may be in a situation like we have been…”

Anon (Personal Injury client)

“Before putting my case in Kirsty (Morbey)’s capable hands I’ve met a couple of other solicitors. None of them listen to me as intently as Kirsty and showed me as much empathy and understanding as she did. Simultaneously she was able to look at my case from legal perspective, explain all the options and follow each of our meetings with written summary of the discussed matters (in timely manner). Her advice was invaluable and led me to successfully ending the case matter (hopeful for good). I’m forever grateful for he work and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for reliable, knowledgeable and committed solicitor”.

Anon (Family client)
5 star service

Our Manchester office is rated 5 stars on Google