[DadOfTwo]

Hi Lily

In the first instance, the Universal Credit people told my ex about the entitlement. Then she has since contacted CAB who will be sending her more information.

As I said in a previous post, it really does depend who is on the end of the phone when you ring these organisations as to the level of expertise and information that you receive so if in any doubt I advise that you call back and speak to someone else.

[DadOfTwo]

Hey

I am no expert but there is no legal age a child can be left alone. However if the child is at risk then it becomes unlawful.

My ex and I left our 9yo at home for a couple of hours here and there and more recently he is lone walking from school so unless your son is a danger if left alone and your ex can demonstrate that then I don’t think you have anything to worry about.

Again, I am not a professional but researched this subject when the situation arose for me.

[DadOfTwo]

The particular shared ownership scheme has told her that she needs to have a permanent job (which is difficult with kids and wrap around care etc – she works as a cleaner, sole trader and pays herself a wage each month but not enough to have a mortgage) or she needs to private rent for a maximum of 2 years which may reduce to 1, she’s not actually sure. This basically demonstrates that she is in the position to maintain regular payments.

The main thing is she can easily pay 2 years rent in advance due to the equity in the property that we own. The remaining equity will be held for her so that she can claim UC until such time that she needs it.

Once she has done her required time private renting then she can join shared ownership.

Things aren’t easy and we found out that it is easy to get nowhere on a phone call BUT immediately call back and speak to someone totally different, more experienced and totally empathic to your individual position. Hey presto we were given great information to act on positively.

I wish you good luck and don’t give up trying. There is help out there for us all and remember that you may have to walk through a muddy puddle but you can wipe your feet on the other side.

[DadOfTwo]

Hi Sara

Have a look at my previous reply. My ex has been advised that she will be able to declare the equity she has in the bank, but it won’t affect her claim for UC.

I suggest you ring the job center as my ex has a contact there who has advised her of this.

[DadOfTwo]

Hi there

We aren’t married.
My job is well paid and I can afford a new mortgage given that the property we are selling has a sizeable amount of equity.
My eldest wants to live with me but he can be flippant, I imagine that he will stay with his mother and I will have both of the children for 2 – 3 nights per week.

We have since found out that the equity released to my ex can be held by the government and she can still claim universal credit until such time that she is able to use it as a deposit for a shared ownership.
This means that she will have to private rent for a max of 2 years with her money being held for her and still be able to claim UC to live, also I have agreed to pay more than the government calculation for maintenance.
With all this said, it looks like things won’t have to get messy through the courts.

[Author]

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