Hope you do have a good attorney. As for what stbx owes you (or not) on the house. I think the way these things work is usually you can get spousal support (if you have been married long enough) for a limited period of time (presuming you aren't earning a living). I know in my situation there is no legal obligation for my stbx to keep paying the mortgage. He does owe me spousal support and child support and out of that I am supposed to pay for food, clothes, house, transport, etc. for the kids.
That is not to say you two couldn't come to an arrangement. But, if he is willing to risk foreclosure by not contributing to the mortgage there isn't much you can do--other than find a way to make the payments. When the house does sell, you will have to work out who gets what share of the proceeds ... that is always fun, too.
Don't assume your house won't sell. How do you know unless you talk with an experienced realtor? Ask for a referal to a good realtor and then ask that person to do a market analysis. It's free and you should feel no obligation to list your house if you don't like what they show you. You don't have anything to lose by asking.
After that, if you feel good about the potential for selling, put it on the market (you'll both have to sign the listing agreement), and see what happens. If you don't sell it, or if you can't get what you need, then take it off the market. Simple as that.
I'd also talk with a property management company. Plan B: rent out the house. Check your yellow pages, and again, ask around for a referral. The Realtor you talk with might even offer property management services. Find out. It's pretty simple to get information. Just don't feel obligated to sign anything.
Second, sit down with a credit counselor. Many are not-for-profit and will go over your bills with you and give you the straight scoop on how much you need to make to pay them. Find out what apartments rent for in your area. See if you can afford to pay for one on your current income.
Everything is possible, but you need information. Don't assume anything and get the facts. You can't make good decisions about your future if you "suppose" your house won't sell, and you try to play the game of "if he pays..."
Hope you do have a good attorney. As for what stbx owes you (or not) on the house. I think the way these things work is usually you can get spousal support (if you have been married long enough) for a limited period of time (presuming you aren't earning a living). I know in my situation there is no legal obligation for my stbx to keep paying the mortgage. He does owe me spousal support and child support and out of that I am supposed to pay for food, clothes, house, transport, etc. for the kids.
That is not to say you two couldn't come to an arrangement. But, if he is willing to risk foreclosure by not contributing to the mortgage there isn't much you can do--other than find a way to make the payments. When the house does sell, you will have to work out who gets what share of the proceeds ... that is always fun, too.
Hth.
M
Pooh,
Don't assume your house won't sell. How do you know unless you talk with an experienced realtor? Ask for a referal to a good realtor and then ask that person to do a market analysis. It's free and you should feel no obligation to list your house if you don't like what they show you. You don't have anything to lose by asking.
After that, if you feel good about the potential for selling, put it on the market (you'll both have to sign the listing agreement), and see what happens. If you don't sell it, or if you can't get what you need, then take it off the market. Simple as that.
I'd also talk with a property management company. Plan B: rent out the house. Check your yellow pages, and again, ask around for a referral. The Realtor you talk with might even offer property management services. Find out. It's pretty simple to get information. Just don't feel obligated to sign anything.
Second, sit down with a credit counselor. Many are not-for-profit and will go over your bills with you and give you the straight scoop on how much you need to make to pay them. Find out what apartments rent for in your area. See if you can afford to pay for one on your current income.
Everything is possible, but you need information. Don't assume anything and get the facts. You can't make good decisions about your future if you "suppose" your house won't sell, and you try to play the game of "if he pays..."
Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
CL-Wisdomtooth2020