Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Australia > The Barbie
Reload this Page >

Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Thread Tools
 
Old Apr 10th 2013, 12:50 pm
  #16  
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
 
haggis supper's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Ayr then Hampshire; Now Beaumaris, Melbourne
Posts: 1,034
haggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond reputehaggis supper has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

A further thanks to everyone.

Tom - great post, I appreciate you sharing your experience. I hope that you'll find a resolution soon enough. It sounds like you're on the right path.

Hebe - do I still love her? Sadly I don't think so. And I suspect she feels the same way.

Maybe a trial separation is the answer but I'm just not convinced and as she's taken herself out for the last three nights it hasn't exactly allowed us to talk ! Which in itself tells me something.

Ho hum.
haggis supper is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 12:53 pm
  #17  
Gutter Gob!!
 
northernbird's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 13,098
northernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by haggis supper
A further thanks to everyone.

Tom - great post, I appreciate you sharing your experience. I hope that you'll find a resolution soon enough. It sounds like you're on the right path.

Hebe - do I still love her? Sadly I don't think so. And I suspect she feels the same way.

Maybe a trial separation is the answer but I'm just not convinced and as she's taken herself out for the last three nights it hasn't exactly allowed us to talk ! Which in itself tells me something.

Ho hum.
If you don't love her then don't prolong the agony for either of you. She is probably as scared as you to say anything. Go and seek some professional legal advice. As someone has said she can't just up and go and take the children with her, it's against the law. Fingers crossed you get it all sorted out.
northernbird is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 1:54 pm
  #18  
BE Forum Addict
 
irishbloo's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Limerick-Shropshire- Perth.
Posts: 3,215
irishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Sorry to hear that you are in this situation.I hope you can sort it out amicably for all your sakes.It doesn't have to be bitter.It is possible to find happiness again.I could be wrong but if she's been going out a lot it is quiet possible that she is already moving on.Good luck.
irishbloo is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 1:55 pm
  #19  
BE Forum Addict
 
irishbloo's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Limerick-Shropshire- Perth.
Posts: 3,215
irishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond reputeirishbloo has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by northernbird
If you don't love her then don't prolong the agony for either of you. She is probably as scared as you to say anything. Go and seek some professional legal advice. As someone has said she can't just up and go and take the children with her, it's against the law. Fingers crossed you get it all sorted out.
Best of luck to you too Nb..I hope you can move on and sort out things amicably.
irishbloo is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 3:46 pm
  #20  
Home and Happy
 
Pollyana's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,810
Pollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by northernbird
I'm sorry but not all of us women are gold diggers. I expect my husband when the time comes to provide for my children and to take some of what I helped contribute to over the 26 years we have been together. Even though I would wish to nail his testicles to the pavement I realise he is my children's father and as such will be part of my life until our dying day.
Every split is so different, that's the thing to remember. We can all chip in with our stories and experiences, with or without children; likewise we all have experiences of the financial situations - in some cases people - both husbands AND wives walk away with nothing because they feel thats the right thing to do - thinking partly of a long thread on here started by a close male friend who refused to take half of everything as he didn't feel entitled to it, and partly of my own experience many years ago when I kept a friendship alive by refusing to be a clinging gold-digger.

Sadly, just like falling in love, there are no rights or wrongs when falling out of love. Having been through it twice I just wish all of you going through it now come out of it sane and healthy
Pollyana is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 4:16 pm
  #21  
Gutter Gob!!
 
northernbird's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 13,098
northernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by Pollyana
Every split is so different, that's the thing to remember. We can all chip in with our stories and experiences, with or without children; likewise we all have experiences of the financial situations - in some cases people - both husbands AND wives walk away with nothing because they feel thats the right thing to do - thinking partly of a long thread on here started by a close male friend who refused to take half of everything as he didn't feel entitled to it, and partly of my own experience many years ago when I kept a friendship alive by refusing to be a clinging gold-digger.

Sadly, just like falling in love, there are no rights or wrongs when falling out of love. Having been through it twice I just wish all of you going through it now come out of it sane and healthy
I agree Polly but he was suggesting that the husband is always the loser and I don't think that is the case.
northernbird is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 4:22 pm
  #22  
Home and Happy
 
Pollyana's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,810
Pollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by northernbird
I agree Polly but he was suggesting that the husband is always the loser and I don't think that is the case.
Oh I agree, totally. Every split is so different that there's no way anyone can say the husband or the wife is always the loser.
Some splits have gold-digging wives, some have husbands with those ideas; some just end with an amicable division, just wish we saw more of the latter as opposed to the "nasty" ones.
Even the children cannot always be said to be the losers or winners - some of us might have had a better go at life if our parents had split earlier instead of trying to patch things up and living a lie for years, while others struggle to cope with split families. The death knell for my own parents marriage was 34 years ago last weekend, I relive the defining moment every year and while I don't want to put the details on here it was such a devastating day that I will know for ever that there is no blueprint for either marriage or separation.

Very sad for all concerned

Last edited by Pollyana; Apr 10th 2013 at 4:25 pm.
Pollyana is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 4:26 pm
  #23  
Concierge
 
spouse of scouse's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,138
spouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond reputespouse of scouse has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by Pollyana
Every split is so different, that's the thing to remember. We can all chip in with our stories and experiences, with or without children; likewise we all have experiences of the financial situations - in some cases people - both husbands AND wives walk away with nothing because they feel thats the right thing to do - thinking partly of a long thread on here started by a close male friend who refused to take half of everything as he didn't feel entitled to it, and partly of my own experience many years ago when I kept a friendship alive by refusing to be a clinging gold-digger.

Sadly, just like falling in love, there are no rights or wrongs when falling out of love. Having been through it twice I just wish all of you going through it now come out of it sane and healthy
Dead right Pollyanna, every split, every couple, every person and situation is so different. I can't help but roll my eyes at comments like Jon's, when my ex husband and I divorced I agreed (after a year) to his request for 80% of everything we had. Sure, I lost a lot financially, including 80% of my superannuation, but I also lost being tied to a controlling, violent person who was quite happy to lie in bed all day watching tv while I worked my arse off building a career, post our kids becoming adults.

At 49, I can honestly say my life really began. In the following months I must have experienced every emotion going, usually on the same day! Joy at my freedom, gut wrenching pity at my ex's tearful messages on my mobile, shock and dispair at my adult children's rejection of me for leaving their dad, relief at feeling safe in control of my own life. I discovered that I was actually an ok person, despite being told the opposite in words and actions for 32 years.

Haggis supper, I can't advise you on what to do. But I do, very sincerely, wish future happiness for you, your wife and your kids.
spouse of scouse is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 5:25 pm
  #24  
FREE TIBET
 
Bernieboy's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 18,840
Bernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond reputeBernieboy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by Pollyana
Every split is so different, that's the thing to remember. We can all chip in with our stories and experiences, with or without children; likewise we all have experiences of the financial situations - in some cases people - both husbands AND wives walk away with nothing because they feel thats the right thing to do - thinking partly of a long thread on here started by a close male friend who refused to take half of everything as he didn't feel entitled to it, and partly of my own experience many years ago when I kept a friendship alive by refusing to be a clinging gold-digger.

Sadly, just like falling in love, there are no rights or wrongs when falling out of love. Having been through it twice I just wish all of you going through it now come out of it sane and healthy
Oh yes,i could have been very comfortable financially,but it wasn't my money to begin with,so why should it be mine simply because i married the person who spent their life working hard to make it,a no brainer for me.
Bernieboy is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 5:33 pm
  #25  
Home and Happy
 
Pollyana's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,810
Pollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond reputePollyana has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by Bernieboy
Oh yes,i could have been very comfortable financially,but it wasn't my money to begin with,so why should it be mine simply because i married the person who spent their life working hard to make it,a no brainer for me.
And I saw your point; I remember a lot of people thought you should have fought for half of it, but as you say, it was hers to start with, you walked away with what you brought into the marriage - as did she
Pollyana is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 8:58 pm
  #26  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 516
macy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of lightmacy is a glorious beacon of light
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by haggis supper
A further thanks to everyone.

Tom - great post, I appreciate you sharing your experience. I hope that you'll find a resolution soon enough. It sounds like you're on the right path.

Hebe - do I still love her? Sadly I don't think so. And I suspect she feels the same way.

Maybe a trial separation is the answer but I'm just not convinced and as she's taken herself out for the last three nights it hasn't exactly allowed us to talk ! Which in itself tells me something.

Ho hum.

When arriving in Australia to live the dream I think most couples are unaware of the huge pressure it puts on a relationship. If the love has gone then I think you both need to sit down and put a plan together of how to deal with it to lessen the hurt as much as possible on the children, they are the ones who are going to suffer the most in all of this. I feel so sorry for you, myself and my husband have had some tough times since arriving but the love was still there which makes a huge difference.

You sound like a wonderful dad and I am sure living in misery isn't helping anyone, you are entitled to be happy, your wife cannot up and take the kids as another poster has said so you need to book an appointment with her, work out a plan and then put that plan into action, unfotunately your children are going to be devestated and they are the most important people in all of this but you can't carry on in this no life.

My thoughts are with you .
macy is offline  
Old Apr 10th 2013, 10:32 pm
  #27  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,253
Jon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond reputeJon77 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by northernbird
I agree Polly but he was suggesting that the husband is always the loser and I don't think that is the case.
No I actually wasn't suggesting that women in these situations are gold diggers I was suggesting that the family law courts and family lawyers do all of the work for the women on her behalf. The women doesn't need to be a gold digger as family law is clearly defind to advantage the female in every way possible, the women doesn't need to do anything as the law as it currently stands will do just about everything for her.

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petition...renting-laws-3

All I am advising is that the person who started this thread won't find as much legal assitance as his wife will, should it unfortunately go down that route, which we all hope it doesn't. There is no equality when it comes to family law and every man should take this in to account when they face a situation like this.

(Taking children out of the argument as they should be given every support and advantage possible and both sides should share an equal responsibility there, but again the law doesn't think so, the role of the father is not equal to that of a mother in the eyes of the law).

Last edited by Jon77; Apr 10th 2013 at 10:41 pm.
Jon77 is offline  
Old Apr 11th 2013, 7:01 am
  #28  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
quoll's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
quoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond reputequoll has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

So sorry to hear that it has all gone pear shaped for you - no accounting for love, you fall into it and fall out of it just as easily I guess.

Although you can legally keep your kids in Australia I hope that you don't necessarily do that if their mum needs to be back in a different environment for her mental health and well being. I know that's a stick that a lot of people use to beat in the case of separations - hopefully you can come to a good compromise situation with that. At least you, too, have the option of moving if necessary, which often isn't the case in the opposite direction. Good luck, I hope things can stay amicable!
quoll is offline  
Old Apr 11th 2013, 8:18 am
  #29  
Proudly Deplorable
 
Amazulu's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Amazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Originally Posted by haggis supper
After 15 years of marriage Mrs Haggis and I seem to have found ourselves a long way apart. Despite counselling last year we're further apart than ever. We don't argue or fight but just don't talk and we're both deeply unhappy. She wants to try counselling again but I suspect this is driven by the fear of divorce and the impact on our lives and our kids rather than any real desire to stay with me.

I'm not too sure what I feel but I also suspect any desire not to separate is simply the fear of what happens next.

I'm mildly terrified at this point, not to mention exceptionally sad. I just don't see any future with her but the thought of separating, selling the house, the impact on the kids and starting all over again at 43 is overwhelming. It also concerns me greatly that she will want to go home (she's very homesick) and will want to take the kids (aged 12 and 10) with her.

I'd genuinely appreciate any advice from folks who've been in this position.

Cheers
Col
I've nothing to add but hope you sort yourself out champ
Amazulu is offline  
Old Apr 11th 2013, 8:20 am
  #30  
Proudly Deplorable
 
Amazulu's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Amazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond reputeAmazulu has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Contemplating divorce - advice much appreciated

Divorce/separation is certainly catching. 2 couples who are some of our closest friends have recently split. 1 of them I kind of get but the other was totally unexpected
Amazulu is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.