Understanding your financial obligations during a separation is crucial. Divorce often brings significant changes, leading to confusion about who should cover household expenses until the divorce is finalised.
Throughout the divorce process, regular household expenses—like mortgage payments, utilities, and council tax—should be managed as they were during the marriage.
If your husband has ceased contributing to these expenses, there are options. One possibility is negotiating interim financial support, such as spousal maintenance.
If you’re experiencing disagreement with your husband regarding financial responsibilities during separation, our team can offer comprehensive support.
Does a husband have to support his wife during separation?
Dealing with utility bills during a separation can be intricate. It’s important to note that a divorce or separation doesn’t absolve either party from existing financial commitments. Therefore, if you and your husband share responsibility for household expenses like the mortgage, both of you remain accountable for fulfiling these obligations regardless of your separation status.
What happens if my husband stops paying bills?
Failure to fully pay household bills can lead to county court judgements (CCJs) being issued. Typically, the individual named on the bill will be held responsible for any late payments related to household expenses. Records of CCJs are kept for six years unless the full amount is settled within a month, which may negatively impact your ability to obtain credit in the future.
What can I do if my husband refuses to pay bills?
If your husband is refusing to contribute to household bills during the divorce, causing financial strain, you may need to seek assistance from a family court. The court can issue a financial order, such as interim spousal maintenance, to address this issue.
While reaching a voluntary agreement on spousal maintenance is possible in theory, it may not be feasible if your husband is already neglecting financial responsibilities during separation.
The amount of spousal maintenance awarded depends on your needs, income, and earning capacity. There are no fixed formulas; instead, it considers the payer’s net income and their own financial needs, among other factors.
Spousal maintenance ceases if you remarry in the future.
If you have questions about your entitlement to spousal maintenance, our team can provide guidance.
Please note that spousal maintenance is distinct from child maintenance. Child maintenance solely supports a child’s everyday expenses and is not intended to directly assist either spouse during a divorce.
What is financial responsibility during separation or divorce?
Spending irresponsibly during the period between separation and divorce could lead to a notable decrease in the total assets available for division in the matrimonial settlement.
In practical terms, a smaller matrimonial pool of assets means there will be less to distribute between you and your husband in the financial settlement.
If one party displays financial irresponsibility by recklessly spending joint assets, they may be viewed as attempting to deprive you of your rightful share. Consequently, if your husband has demonstrated financial irresponsibility, the court could penalise him by reducing his portion of the matrimonial assets.
Our solicitors are here for you
We realise how upsetting it can be when your husband stops making payments. If you find yourself in this scenario, it is critical that you understand your legal standing and the options accessible to you going forward. If you have questions concerning divorce, separation, or utility charges, our family law solicitors will help clarify your options.
