Thanks everyone. Well, I had an interesting meeting with the solicitor.
She advises definitely not to agree to sell the MH unless we are settling our finances overall.
The crux of her advice is that I have some 'control' over the MH, which is around a third of our assets. It is the only asset I have control over and we own 50/50. Everything else is in H's name, but I have a claim against further assets built up during our cohabitation and marriage.
She says if we sell the MH and each pocket 50/50 - no problem. BUT - H then has 'control' of the remaining 2/3 of our assets and who knows what he may do with them.
She said (worst case scenario) he may squander those assets away in the next 18 months, leaving nothing. She says, if we still have the MH when we fully settle our finances, that could be signed over to me (for example) if he behaved irresponsibly with the rest of our assets.
She said, if she were advising H today, she would advise him to sell the MH - even without settling finances - as it's the only asset I have some control over.
She also said, if we sell the MH and buy a house with my 50%, the 'needs' part of my case has gone. My housing needs are already met, and that 'weapon in our armory' has gone.
Of course, settling our finances in full (without D) can only be done by agreement. And H may not agree to do this. On the flipside, I can - not agree to sell the MH unless we fully settle our finances.
She suggested aiming for a deed of separation in which we agree to D in principle after 2 years S and in which all finances are separated. The sale of the MH would happen as part of this.
So, I guess I now need to think about how to broach this with H...
T 13 M 7 Me 48 H 46 SS 15 BD 7.14 PA D final 5.16 (H filed)
We receive & we lose, and must try to achieve gratitude & embrace with whole hearts whatever of life that remains after the losses - Dubus
