Navigating Divorce and Financial Disputes: My Journey After Caring for My Depressed Wife

Divorce can be an emotionally and financially challenging experience, especially when mental health issues complicate the relationship dynamics. In my case, I dedicated six years of my life to supporting my wife through her severe depression, but the tables turned when she recovered and ultimately decided to end our marriage. Now I find myself facing a daunting financial battle as she claims half of our home, raising questions about fairness and entitlement.

A Journey of Care

My wife struggled with significant depression during our marriage and was unable to work. Out of love and commitment, I took on the full responsibility of our household, managing all financial obligations, including the mortgage. To make ends meet, I even worked a second job, all while maintaining our home and caring for our pet. It was a challenging period, but I remained steadfast in my support.

By summer 2023, after years of treatment, my wife began to recover and re-entered the workforce. Initially, she contributed about one-third of our budget. However, our stability was rocked by personal tragedy when I lost my sister and cousin in a car accident in February 2024. This loss significantly impacted my mental health, leading to depression during a time when I needed support the most.

The Unexpected Turn

In an unexpected turn of events, my wife began dating a colleague from her workplace while I was struggling with my own mental health challenges. She did not attempt to conceal this affair, which only added to my emotional burden. As the situation escalated, I faced mounting difficulties, including the expiration of my sick leave from both jobs, and I found myself relying on food banks and church assistance.

Unexpectedly, my wife sent me a message indicating her intention to sell our house and split the equity, despite the fact that I have carried the mortgage entirely on my own for many years. The home has £282,000 in equity, with a remaining mortgage of £79,000. The initial deposit for our house came primarily from my family’s inheritance, which added another layer of complexity to this financial dispute.

Considerations of Fairness

As I navigate this challenging situation, I am left grappling with several pressing questions:

1. Entitlement to Equity: Given that I was solely responsible for the mortgage payments and household expenses for the duration of our marriage, does my wife’s claim for 50% equity hold any weight? Is there a legal