When I divorced two years ago the court awarded my wife the house, even though I’d bought it and paid for more than half of it before we were married. The best explanation I could get was that it would reduce my maintenance payments, but I still have to pay £400 a month for my children. Can you shed any light on the court’s decision?
It sounds as though the court opted for a “clean break” settlement, which means that your wife gave up her right to claim maintenance from you for herself in return for a larger share of the joint assets. It could have been very expensive to maintain your wife. Parents cannot give up their right to claim maintenance on behalf of their children.