This is a long one so bear with me!
In January 2008, my wife walked out on me. I was aware she had some debts and I got upset (well angry..Not physically of-course!) and she just left.
We didn’t file for divorce as my wife said she just needed some space and so I waited. I continued, as I always did (and always have) to pay the mortgage, council tax etc.
All of my wifes income, which was £40k, was disposable, throughout our marriage. She texted me every day to say she loved me when she left, how was I, do you want to meet up etc. So I just played along, like a fool!
Anyway, in October 2008, I found out that she was seeing someone. I was deeply upset and so, I started to see someone in November. It was awkward being with another woman but female company was nice but I still loved my wife. However, in December a week before christmas, I found out that not only was her boyfriend 21 (she is 30, I am 33) but that they had been in a serious relationshiop since February 2008, only after 4 weeks of walking out on me!
To make matters worse, on Xmas eve, I opened one of her letters in error, and it was a CCJ from the HSBC, saying she was over her allowance. I have since found out, she has accumulated about £20k of debt. I have no idea how, but I think it was clothes, as I used to find lots of them in the back of her car, sent to her work address. Her credit card bills were 90% attributable to ASOS (Which is an on-line clothes shop I have since found out)?
I am seeing a Solicitor tomorrow to file a divorce. However, my wife has said she is prepared for me to buy her out for £15k. I get to keep the house and she will sign to say I am not responsible for any of her debts.
To make things more complicated, I have a new job and I have to move in 4 weeks. I can’t sell the house in this time, so I will have to rent it out. However, I can only buy my wife out, with a long term loan on the mortgage. This will put my borrowing to £205k, and the house is worth about £240k, but this is coming down as we all know!!!
So questions!
All of the debt is in her name (on her credit cards, with no loans on the house). Am I liable for this?
Our house is in both our names (her credit card is with HSBC with the CCJ as is our moartgage) can they come after our house, even if she never paid any of the mortgage, or gave me any money towards anything?
Should I buy my wife out, or is renting my own flat to much of a pain?
I am deeply upset with all this, as I still love her deeply but I can’t afford to stay with her (she is too much of a risk) and I will never be able to forget about her boyfriend and how she lied to me for so long, saying how she missed me, but just needed space.
Please help me, I desperately need advice! Oh and a virtual hug if that is possible!