Who will win the divorce ?

Question

my mum has recently filed for divorce against my dad and she thinks she will get half of everything he owns. the thing is she has been and heavy alcoholic for the past 18 years (my whole life) she has never held down a job and for the past 9 years she has been sitting at home doing absolutely nothing and relying on my dad for money. whilst doing this she has contributed nothing to the house and hasn't even done the housework. I'm 18 , my bro is 20 and all 3 of us hate her guts and we will stay with our dad and back him up all the way. she has been in prison multiple times for breaching her bail , has received ALOT of fines for being drunk in public which my dad has had to pay because she has no money. and now she is being so selfish she has filed for divorce (while currently in prison !) and is expecting she will force my dad to sell the family home and give her half his hard earned money which will mean me my dad and my bro will have to move just because she wants to move out on her own ! does anyone know if she has any rights considering my dad has supported the whole family on his own , she is still an alcoholic and she has contributed absolutely nothing to the marriage!? btw the mortgage is under joint names but surely she cant force us to sell the house ?

Answer 1

My husband knew a man in a similar situation.  Don't let your dad waste his time on lawyers.  Your mother will get half of everything.  My husband's friend's e-wife was a drunk, and psychotic, not only did she get half of everything, he also has to pay her so much alimony he lives in a crappy apartment now.  Just tell your dad to give her half of everything, life is **** women get things they don't deserve in divorce cases.

Answer 2

she can get half of what he has even though she didn't work.

Answer 3

Sure they can. And it will likely be something of a forced sale, and it therefore may not bring as much as if it was sold at the best time. Start planning.  

Answer 4

Your mom has issues! When you have to rely on a drug to help you cope in life, then that's pathetic.  Actually, I think that your father has this under his belt.  You don't have to worry.  You already answered your own question! Besides, some situations are Good for the soul, it will teach your mom to get her life together, because as it stands, she has lost a great husband, she has lost wonderful kids, and she has lost her home.  That to me is a lot to make ya' smell the coffee!

Answer 5

Since the mortgage is joint she does in fact own half the house. And since you and your brother are adults, there is no custody or child support to consider. Even the fact that he has raised and supported you all this time may not factor into it as there are many stay-at-home-moms and in equally applying the law, they cannot consider whether the mother has contributed financially.

With all of you saying she didn't contribute emotionally and in fact detracted financially, there might be something, and adding up all the fines and bail over the years as well, though a spouse bailing out their spouse is not considered a loan to be repaid.

I don't know, your dad needs a lawyer because it could go either way and if he and your mom are joint tenants with right of survivorship he will likely have the tough choice of either coming up with cash to buy her out of the house or selling it and giving her half the proceeds. Sorry.

I am not sure what you and your brother are doing right now. Going to college I hope.  If not, or if you are going part time, or if you would consider taking a break -- if all three of you took on an extra job while your mom is in prison and while the divorce drags on (and your dad should not make it quick and easy for her if she is forcing the home sale) and put the earnings into savings, you may be able to give her a cash settlement she'd find appealing and then you could quit the extra jobs and stay in the house.

With three adults in the house, there is actually a lot you can accomplish together and that is precisely what I would do.