what If I resign my job?

Hi,

I am a full time employee and currently divorce proceeding are on. We have a short marriage of 2.5 years. My wife is not working and she is full time mother. She is receiving child benefit and child tax credit.

I have been maintaining the flat from last 5 months and currently paying half of my salary. She made an application for ancillary relief. After around 10 days we have got hearing for maintenence pending suit. I don know what preparations I need to do for MPS hearing. AM I bound to pay any spouse maintenace?

Also I can't concenterate on work and already received a warning from my boss. I am in debt and can not afford to pay my solicitor. I dont know what shall I do? What will happen if I resign my job saying I am depressed and can't addord to work?

Thanks
NM

I think I know where you are coming from. At the moment I would say your principal emotion is uncertainty, and that can be very destructive and paralysing.

The idea of giving up work, or deliberately taking low paid employment. is one that a number of people in your position at least think about. But at the end of the day I see no virtue in it. In theory the Court can make a judgment on what you could reasonably expect to earn and make a maintenance order on the assumption that you did in fact take such employment - with sanctions up to and including imprisonment as a last resort for non - compliance. The Social Security people can also sanction people who claim benefits and refuse work, by reducing or even withholding benefits.

The Court will not in practice make an order which leaves you with insufficient money to live on, simply because it is counter productive to remove any incentive to work. I can't comment on your situation, but surely your solicitor should be able to give you some general idea ?

Mike 100468

Hiya NM. You have to think beyond the divorce. A lot of people contemplate leaving the job. I think this is a mistake. You will need to house and feed yourself after this is all done and dusted so I would stay where you are for now. Its my understanding that the courts will think that you did this intentionally and punish you accordingly. I am sure this is not what you want.

I know this is a hard time for you and most people struggle at work when all this is going on. Try having a word with your boss. I buried myself in work when all this happened to me. Mind you I did fall asleep during work a few times due to all night abuse sessions and I had a few near misses going to work due to extreme fatigue so I know what its like. This time will pass eventually and you will feel your old self again in no time. Keep your chin up mate. Chris.